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On the night when the Tomah City Council recognized retired city administrator John Rusch for his nine years of service, the council approved the contract for new city administrator James Bialecki at City Hall Tuesday.

The council and mayor Ed Thompson named Bialecki, the former mayor of Onalaska, the new administrator in a special meeting on June 18. Approval of the contract on Tuesday made Bialecki’s appointment official. The contract will be open-ended after Bialecki’s first year on the job, and he will earn an annual salary of $71,168.

Bialecki sat in on the meeting Tuesday and addressed the council and those in attendance after the approval of his contract. He said that while he is looking forward to the job, he is not ready to jump into it quite yet.

“This is a very different experience for me,” Bialecki said. “After being unemployed for the first time in the last few months, it is nice to get back on the saddle again. But before we get up and go, there is more here that I need to learn about the city and the process here.”

Rusch was recognized at the beginning of the open session portion of Tuesday’s meeting for his years of service. A distinguished service resolution was passed, and Rusch received a plaque from the city and a standing ovation from the council and others in attendance. He retired on July 5.

“Nine years went by fast,” Rusch said Tuesday. “It has been a pleasure, and I think we are in good hands with our new city administrator.”

Public Works foreman Bill Phillips was also recognized by the council. A distinguished service resolution was passed, honoring Phillips for service to the city of Tomah in the Public Works Department since 1971. Phillips held positions as a truck driver and equipment manager before becoming the Public Works foreman. He will retire on July 31.

“I don’t know where all the years went,” Phillips told the council. “I more or less enjoyed everything over the years.”

The City Council also rejected a request for a fuel surcharge by Ace Taxi Cab Service. The fuel surcharge, according to the staff committee report, would have been six percent.