Bloomington’s Gleason said to be ‘finalist’ to manage Arizona town

BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) – The former Washington city administrator and ex-Pekin Police officer, who spent the past six years as Bloomington’s city manager, might soon be leaving the state for a new job.

Tim Gleason, who’s run Bloomington’s city government since 2018, is scheduled to be interviewed Friday morning for the town manager’s position in Florence, Arizona, according to the agenda for a town council special meeting. The agenda lists Gleason as a finalist for the manager’s position.

Last September, the Florence Town Council voted 6-1 to dismiss its manager, Russ Martin, saying in a news release that it was looking for “fresh perspective and leadership.”

Gleason’s leadership in Bloomington has won him praise from Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe and the city council. They gave Gleason a 5% pay raise just six months ago, boosting his base salary to $219,685.

“Bloomington has emerged from COVID not only in better shape that most communities but is also thriving as businesses and individuals continue to see Bloomington has a desirable community to invest in,” Mayor Mwilambwe said last September.

Gleason also won acclaim for helping Washington rebuild after a devastating tornado killed three people and damaged hundreds of homes in November 2013. Gleason is also a former city manager of Decatur, and he rose to the rank of lieutenant during his 21-years as a Pekin Police officer.

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