Jan Schultz | The Imperial Republican
Jo Leyland has had more relaxed duties the last few weeks, as the transition to new city administration takes place. Here, she and Police Chief Ryan Wisnieski visit during a break in last week’s council meeting.
Jo Leyland spending final week at city post
As the city council and mayor discussed nuisance code reviews and housing grants, Jo Leyland sat in the back row in the seats for visitors.
Her seat at the council’s March 20 meeting was on the opposite end of the room where city business is conducted in the council chambers.
As Imperial’s outgoing Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer, she’s had a place at the council table the past 25 years.
She’s held the city’s top administrative post that long, but has been with the city 43 years in all.
This Friday marks Leyland’s final day with the city.
Tyler Pribbeno, currently the city’s Community Development Director, will take over as Administrator April 1.
Sarah Hoskovec will serve as City Clerk and Hillary Mundt, the City Treasurer.
Leyland’s career with the city began in 1980 after a job she had taken didn’t last long—4 hours actually.
She and husband Jeff, who passed away in January this year, had moved here in April 1980 for the job he accepted with Kansas-Nebraska, the city’s natural gas supplier at the time.
She had inquired about a position with the city, but hadn’t yet heard back, so took the other job after it was offered, she said.
When that job didn’t pan out, she called City Clerk/Treasurer Leonard Gloy asking if there were any positions available with the city. He asked her to come in that afternoon for an interview.
She was hired to do billing and serve as receptionist, and has been there ever since.
After Gloy retired, Tom Spunaugle was hired Clerk/Treasurer, and the Administrator title was added to his position. Leyland was eventually appointed Deputy Clerk/Treasurer.
After Spunaugle left, Leyland was named Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer in 1998.
Leyland said she may find time now to do more traveling.
Daughter Shelby and husband live in Seattle, Washington, as does daughter Chelsea.
Pribbeno will continue to handle the Community Development Director position along with his Administrator duties, while Hoskovec and Tricia Moreno are sharing other administrative work as Deputy Administrator and Deputy Clerk.