Demel named city manager

Purcell’s City Council voted to hire Sam Demel as the replacement for long-time City Manager Dale Bunn at Monday night’s special meeting at the Community Room of the Purcell Police Service Building.

The council voted unanimously with the absence of Ted Cox to hire Demel, who is presently the City Administrator for Kiowa, Kan.

Mayor Graham Fishburn reported 25 people applied for the Purcell position. Eight were interviewed with four making in-person visits for interviews in Purcell including Demel.

Demel, who has 25 years of experience, is scheduled to start his duties here in January.

Councilman Allen Eubanks said Demel met with every department head during his day-long interview in Purcell.

He will be the General Manager for the Purcell Public Works Authority in addition to wearing the title of City Manager.

“First of all I’d like to say how much I appreciate Dale and all he’s done,” Mayor Graham Fishburn said. “But, we’re excited about Sam.

“He was our top choice due to his experience, education and his background. He provided the best fit for our city,” Fishburn continued. “He distinguished himself by the way he listened to the employees when he was here. He had an excellent interview and is highly motivated to be here.”

Demel has a Masters of Public Administration degree from Wichita State University. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from The College of Santa Fe in Santa Fe, NM.

He has been the City Administrator at Kiowa since December 14, 2020. Prior to that he was an account manager for the Kansas Corporation Commission, served as the Community and Organizational Specialist for the Community Engagement Institute at Wichita State University and was a development coordinator for the South Central Kansas Economic Development District in Wichita.

The council said after Demel gets settled in January they are planning on having a community-wide reception for him to meet citizens.