Erie
Erie council negotiates contract with Johnson for town manager
The agreement goes before council at a special meeting Tuesday. If approved, she is set to start Jan. 4, 2027, overseeing daily operations and town employees under the town’s council-manager structure.
The Town of Erie Council has negotiated an employment contract with Kelli Johnson to become the next town manager.
Town Council will consider Johnson’s contract at a special meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20. If approved, Johnson will begin working for the town Jan. 4, 2027.
Johnson was selected after a nationwide recruitment process that attracted more than 50 applicants. She currently serves as deputy city manager for the City of Greeley, where she joined in 2019 as director of communication and engagement and later served as chief of staff. Before Greeley, she was public information manager for the High Plains Library District and helped open its Erie branch in 2008. “This community is a jewel on the Front Range,” Johnson said.
Erie operates under a Home Rule Charter that stipulates a council-manager form of government. Town Council establishes policy and sets priorities, while the town manager oversees daily operations and town employees. Under the charter, Council directly supervises only four positions: the town manager, town attorney, prosecutor and municipal court judge.