The Kirkland City Council approved a resolution during the April 7 regular meeting amending the employment contract for City Manager Kurt Triplett with an increase in retirement contribution and contract extension through 2020.

Triplett was hired in 2010 as Kirkland’s fourth city manager. Several of his achievements are identified in the resolution, including guiding the city of Kirkland out of the “Great Recession” while maintaining its AAA credit rating, ensuring the completion of the 2011 annexation of Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate areas and more recently, implementing strategies to position the city well when the annexation sales tax credit expires in 2021.  Triplett’s performance is also recognized for the purchase and development of the Cross Kirkland Corridor and the Comprehensive Plan Update process and the adoption of associated long-range transportation, parks and other plans as part of the Kirkland 2035 initiative.

“Mr. Triplett’s contributions to realizing the goals and policies set by the City Council have proven to be extremely effective and efficient over the past five years,” said Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen. “He listens to community concerns and is creative in his responses to solve problems we all face together.”

The city manager administers and manages the city according to the mission, policies and guidelines adopted by the City Council. Triplett oversees the operations of ten departments and is director of the City Manager’s Office (CMO). CMO programs include neighborhood services, legislative advocacy, council relations, economic development, communications, tourism and the volunteer program.

“I am deeply grateful for the Council’s action. Working for the residents of Kirkland and this Council has been one of the most rewarding highlights of my career,” Triplett said. “It is my privilege to work with the exceptional team of city employees to continue serving this amazing community any way that I can to keep Kirkland one of the most livable cities in America.”

The employment agreement is effective Jan. 1, 2015 and sets Triplett’s annual salary at $184,468; requires that he reside in Kirkland; provides benefits and insurance and makes automobile and travel expenses available in lieu of expense reimbursement.

Triplett previously served as King County’s County Executive (2009), Chief of Staff to County Executive Ron Sims (2003-2009), Deputy Director of King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks (1998-2002) and Deputy Chief of Staff under Ron Sims and Gary Locke.

Triplett has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government (2003) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stanford University (1989). Triplett currently lives in Kirkland with his wife and three children.