The Ankeny City Council voted unanimously last night to name Assistant City Manager Jim Spradling as the interim city manager while the city continues to look for a replacement for retiring City Manager Carl Metzger.

Mayor Steve Van Oort and council members expressed confidence in Spradling’s ability to take over. Spradling has worked for more than 35 years in city government, the last 16 years as Ankeny’s assistant city manager.

Spradling’s salary will increase by $2,000 per month while he serves as interim city manager. He will remain as assistant city manager after a new city manager is hired, according to a press release.