The City of Soldotna is extending an offer of employment to Janette Bower to become the next city manager following a decision by city council members last week. The Soldotna City Council convened for a special meeting Feb. 13, during which it moved to offer Bower a conditional offer of employment.

If contract negotiations between Bower and the city are successful, Bower will replace outgoing City Manager Stephanie Queen, who announced last year that she would be stepping down.

Bower, who currently serves as the city manager of Seward, was identified as a finalist for the position earlier this month after being interviewed alongside three other candidates. Bower and the other finalist, Elke Doom of Michigan, were both invited for in-person interviews with the city.

Bower, who joined the City of Seward in 2021, told Soldotna City Council members earlier this month that she sees Soldotna’s location relative to the rest of the peninsula as one of the city’s biggest assets and that one of her top priorities, if hired, would be getting to know the central Kenai Peninsula better.

Bower is a graduate of Magic City High School in Minot, North Dakota, and has previously served as a city clerk in both Palmer and Bethel.

Previous interviews between Soldotna City Council members and city manager candidates can be streamed on the city’s website at soldotna.org.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.