Matt Unrein, the Festus public works director and assistant city administrator, will leave that post soon to take a job as assistant city manager for Columbia.
Unrein has held the job in Festus since September 2020. His last day with the city will be Feb. 12.
He said the lure of working for a much larger city, as well as his familiarity with Columbia, drew him to apply for the new job in the college town.
“Columbia is the fourth-largest city in the state,” he said. “Really, one of my main reasons was the opportunity to work in the very progressive, new programs for the city of Columbia.”
Unrein, 49, started his college career at the University of Missouri in Columbia, later transferring to Columbia College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree, majoring in history and government. He earned a master’s in public administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
“Columbia is a very cosmopolitan and exciting city, and I relish the opportunity to move back,” he said.
Unrein’s annual salary at Festus is $95,971. He said he will be paid about $150,000 a year for his work in Columbia.
He said his new duties will be similar to those at Festus and at his prior positions.
“There are directors in Columbia I’ll be over. I’ll be supervising parks, public works and utilities.”
Unrein, who has three grown children, said he will miss Jefferson County, where he has lived for the last two decades.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in Festus,” he said. “I consider Jefferson County to be my home after living here nearly 20 years. I will miss all my friends and co-workers greatly.”
Prior to working for Festus, Unrein worked as the Arnold city administrator from 2006-2012, and before that he was the Ferguson public works director and assistant city administrator for parks.
Festus City Administrator Greg Camp said Unrein has been an asset to the city.
“We are sad to see him go. He is a talented guy and will be successful with the city of Columbia,” Camp said.
He said Festus leaders have not set a target date to replace Unrein.
“We are open to applicants,” Camp said. “There’s no deadline yet.”
Applications or the position will be accepted until Feb. 9, according to the city’s website.