Jones assumes new role as Eugene's interim city manager.

Byline: Edward Russo The Register-Guard

Angel Jones on Friday began her job as Eugene's interim city manager, receiving the same salary as the experienced city manager that she replaced.

Jones replaced Dennis Taylor, who on Thursday moved back to Montana, where he had held city manager jobs before taking the Eugene post.

Jones will work as interim city manager until the City Council hires a new city manager.

Jones worked the last seven months as assistant city manager. Before that, she served as the director of the city's Library, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department.

City rules authorize the mayor to appoint the interim city manager and set the salary. Mayor Kitty Piercy agreed that Jones should be paid $12,444 a month, a 5 percent increase from her previous monthly salary of $11,906 a month as assistant city manager.

Jones' new monthly salary amounts to $149,323 annually.

Jones' "experience is not as deep or broad" as Taylor's, Piercy wrote city councilors. But Piercy said Jones deserves the salary for "taking on the chief executive position."

Jones plans to appoint an interim assistant city manager in the next two weeks.

Jones' salary would drop to its prior level if she resumes her job as assistant city manager after a new city manager is hired, said Lauren Chouinard, the city's personnel and risk services director.