TRAVERSE CITY — City Clerk Benjamin Marentette will now be the interim city manager beginning Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Marentette, at times getting emotional during a pre-vote speech, received unanimous support from the city commission.
He has been working with the City of Traverse city for more than two decades, the last 14 years as city clerk.
He was a heavy favorite for the city manager role back in 2023, but withdrew from consideration citing the need to deal with some issues, like setting boundaries when it comes to working too hard and not always being on the clock.
He says he hired and executive coach and has overcome those issues and is now ready to take on the role of interim city manager.
Marentette says he’s all in, “My approach to being interim city manager, unless you tell me otherwise, will not be to simply serve as caretaker. While some decisions and direction may need to wait until a permanent city manager is appointed, I intend to work diligently on key issues and be highly engaged and very visible.”
This all comes on the heels of a mutual agreement last week by the commission and former city manager Liz Vogel to part ways.
Marentette will receive a yearly salary of $187,464, the same as Vogel.
He says he will strive to become the permanent appointment, but he’s glad to be getting this trial period.
The interim city manager position runs from July 22, 2025 to January 31, 2026.