Courtesy Orem city

Brenn Bybee, Orem’s assistant city manager, became the acting city manager with the departure of City Manager Jamie Davidson on Dec. 14. Bybee was set to stay in the role while the city searched for an interim city manager.

On Thursday, Mayor David Young and the Orem City Council sent a statement to city staff letting them know that Bybee would stay in the role and no interim manager will be hired.

“Over the course of the past few months, the council and I have been greatly impressed with the service of Brenn Bybee in his role as acting City Manager,” Young wrote. “With our complete confidence and full support, the council has come to a consensus to immediately discontinue the Interim City Manager recruitment process. Brenn Bybee will continue to perform as the acting City Manager. We know he will continue to lead employees with his characteristic positivity, good judgment, and common sense. We look forward to working side-by-side with him to accomplish many great things for the City of Orem.”

They did not indicate when a new city manager would be hired, though the process would be impacted by a potential change on the form of government as discussed at the Orem City Council’s annual retreat.

“Having grown up and started my family in Orem, I am excited to continue serving the community that has meant so much to me,” Bybee said. “I would like to thank the Mayor and City Council for their confidence in me and the city’s executive leadership team for their support in this role.”

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald file photo

Bybee said he is ready to carry on the work of building a better Orem by working with the city’s “excellent employees” to achieve the city’s goals as established in the City Council’s Areas of Focus.

Bybee grew up in Orem and graduated from Timpanogos High School. He holds a Masters of Public Administration degree from Brigham Young University and has 16 years of local government experience.

He served as the assistant city administrator in Lehi and has spent the last nine years as Orem’s assistant city manager. Bybee has been instrumental in many city projects including the construction of the new Orem Family Fitness Center and Library Hall as well as several park improvement projects.

Bybee is known for his collaborative and solutions-oriented leadership style as well as a great passion for improving the quality of life for residents, according to his biographical information.

Orem City has faced a series of personnel changes over the past two months. It has not been determined what jobs are being filled, but Bybee has been actively involved in working with department heads in suggesting new methods of leadership for the mayor and council to consider.