Gabe Stark
The Trenton Telegraph

The City of Trenton has appointed Scot Wrighton as its new interim city administrator, following the departure of the previous administrator and a period of vacancy in the position.

Wrighton, who began his role on December 1, was appointed through a contract with Interim Solutions, a Missouri-based firm specializing in temporary municipal staffing. City Council approved the contract in mid-November.

Wrighton brings over four decades of local government experience, having worked in cities across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and even internationally in the Republic of India.

“I’ve worked in local government for more than 40 years until I retired a year and a half ago,” Wrighton said. His expertise extends beyond traditional city management, including consulting and training local governments, as well as managing municipal services for a private city in India.

He sees the interim position as a way to give Trenton’s mayor and city council breathing room in their search for a permanent administrator.

“The advantage of having an interim administrator is that it sort of takes the pressure off the mayor and city council,” Wrighton said. “They can be deliberative in their selection process and not feel like, ‘Gosh, we have to get somebody in here.’ They’ve got somebody on an interim basis who’s minding the store.”

Wrighton’s approach in his first weeks has focused on relationship-building.

“Any city administrator’s ability to get work done depends on the relationships we have — with the city council, with staff, with external parties, even with the newspaper,” he said. He has already met individually with council members and department supervisors, emphasizing that his role is to advance the agenda of Trenton’s elected officials, not his own.

Trenton residents can expect continuity and stability during the transition. Wrighton noted that the city is “fiscally sound” and praised the city’s utilities and recent projects, such as a new zoning map to aid economic development.

Asked about the city’s challenges, he said, “I think it’s premature for me to say,” having only been on the job a week, but he pledged to work closely with leadership to identify priorities and move the city forward.

The interim contract is set for four months, with the option to extend for two more if needed. Interim Solutions will also assist in recruiting the next permanent city administrator.

“Whether or not four months are needed or five months or six months depends on the speed with which we can get candidates to the city council for them to interview,” Wrighton said.

Wrighton, who commutes weekly from Decatur, Illinois, said he is impressed with Trenton and its people.

“I want the citizens of Trenton to know that you’re in good hands. These are people who deeply care about the city, who want to give back to Trenton, many of whom are lifelong residents … It’s great to be a part of a team like that.”