The Wayzata City Council on Oct. 7, 2025, formally appointed Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager as Interim City Manager, effective October 8, with outgoing interim Mike Kelly—the city’s longtime Public Works Director—continuing to assist through October 15 as part of a planned one-week overlap. The appointment was approved as part of the Council’s consent agenda during its Oct. 7 meeting.
The leadership transition fulfills a framework first set in motion this summer, when Kelly stepped in after the prior city manager’s resignation. According to Resolution 40-2025, both Kelly and Yager were deemed “well-qualified and experienced to lead the City in the interim.” The new arrangement allows the two senior administrators to share executive duties for one week, ensuring uninterrupted operations across departments.
Under the city charter’s Section 26, the Council is authorized to designate a qualified person to perform the city manager’s duties in the event of an absence or vacancy. The Oct. 7 vote officially shifts that responsibility to Yager, who returned from leave earlier this month.
Once the hand-off is complete, Kelly will resume his role overseeing Public Works, while Yager leads city administration on an interim basis. They both remain eligible for consideration in the nationwide search for a permanent manager—should either or both of them choose to apply.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that both employees are eligible to apply for the position of City Manager and to remove an inaccurate detail previously included.