Matt Sandidge is El Reno’s new city manager starting June 1. He’ll be working with a budget that has been greatly impacted by COVID-19, as well as the energy downturn.

Four of the five members of the city council met Tuesday evening. Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White, along with council members Tracey Rider and Bob Ballhorn convened in the council chambers at the Municipal Building. Councilman Tim Robinson joined the meeting by teleconference, while Vice Mayor J.T. Chronister was not in attendance.

Calling Sandidge an experienced leader who is respected by fellow city employees, White said the 34-year-old is ready to take over the role as full-time city manager.

“He has waited his turn and he’s ready,” White said.

Sandidge has worked as a city planner in both El Reno and Oklahoma City and as an assistant city manager in El Reno under city managers including Dan Galloway, Tony Rivera, Jeremy Frazier and White.

Sandidge will be paid $120,000 per year, but is taking a 10 percent pay cut as are all other city employees until the economy improves.

“He wants to be treated just like every other city employee,” White said. “Because that’s what he is, an employee.”

In April, council had charged White and City Attorney Roger Rinehart with negotiating a contract with Sandidge. White said the contract is “in line” with what other city managers are making.

Sandidge and his wife have purchased a home in El Reno where they will live with their two young daughters.

The vote to approve the contract was 4-0.

Sandidge said he looks forward to the opportunity and knows it comes with challenges.

“I’m honored to continue to serve El Reno in this new capacity,” he said. “This is certainly a trying time during the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have a great team and we will continue to provide and improve on the services the citizens of El Reno depend on and deserve.”

As for the budget, White praised city employees, both union and non-union, for “stepping up to the plate.”

With sales tax plummeting, the city had to recently lay off 17 full-time employees as well as some part-time workers. Four unfilled positions were also eliminated. Other cost-cutting actions were taken, including not opening the municipal swimming pool this summer, implementing a hiring freeze and not allowing overtime.

White called the layoffs “heartbreaking” and said the goal is to eventually offer the positions back to those who were laid off. He said it might take several months for this to happen, but the economic situation will be reassessed within “two to three months.”

Rather than forcing the city to make more personnel cuts, White said both police and fire unions agreed to take furlough days, as did non-union employees.

Under their contracts, the unions could have balked at the furloughs, but instead, in White’s words, “they chose to do the right thing.”

“We won’t be losing any shields or badges,” White said, referring to fire and police. “El Reno has absolutely some of the best and most dedicated city employees anywhere.”

The furloughs amount to four hours per week or eight hours per pay period.

Councilwoman Rider said she was thankful to White and the city staff who were involved in the budget process.

“These are tough times. I don’t envy the tough decisions you all had to make. I truly appreciate what you all have done.”

White said the furloughs amount to pay cuts of more than $1.6 million for non-union employees and some $300,000 for police and fire personnel. He praised City Clerk Marsha Leck and her staff for helping to craft a budget that can provide necessary services during a down economy.

“We don’t have any capital in here,” White said, referring to expenditures related to capital improvements. A water and sewer increase set to begin in July is dedicated solely to improvements at the city water plant and to the water fields.

Councilman Ballhorn praised the sacrifice of the city employees.

“Can you imagine if they (union employees) had not taken the 10 percent cut?” He said that would have been devastating for the overall well-being of the city.

White said his hope is to present a plan for ending the furloughs in the coming months.

“We’re going to get through this," White said. “And I think we're going to be stronger and smarter."