Current Billings, Montana City Manager Chris Kukulski has accepted an offer as the new city manager for Harbor Springs.
City council members unanimously approved the negotiated contract at a special council meeting on Friday, March 27.
Kukulski received the city’s offer more than a week ago and has passed the background check, according to Harbor Springs Police Chief and Interim City Manager Kyle Knight. Knight expects the new city manager to be in place by mid-June at the latest. Once Kukulski begins, Knight will return full-time to his role as police chief.
“We all felt he was a good person for this role and a good fit,” Knight said. “There was no debate on Saturday. We were all ready to move forward.”
The Friday special meeting took less than 15 minutes with no public comment in person or on Zoom.
Knight declined to confirm Kukulski’s salary and compensation package until he speaks with the city attorney about the final agreement. The attorney is out of town through Easter, but the information is expected to be made public next week.
Kukulski has served as city manager in Billings since 2018, also having served in Bozeman, Montana, from 2004 to 2017. Before moving to Montana, Kukulski was the city manager of Jonesville, Michigan. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University and a Michigan native.
Kukulski joined the Friday city council meeting remotely, expressing his appreciation to members and saying that he and his wife were flying back to Northern Michigan to begin looking at houses.
“We can’t wait to get home,” Kukulski said during the meeting. “We’re so excited to be there and become a part of the community. (I’ll) work diligently to earn and retain that trust and confidence.”
Kukulski was looking to move back to Michigan to be closer to his parents, parents-in-law, and two grown children. His contract in Billings calls for a 60-day transition period before he leaves his position. Kukulski’s wife also teaches in Montana and will finish the school year, Knight said.
Former city manager Victor Sinadinoski resigned in October 2025, with Knight serving in the interim role since. The city hired Walsh Municipal Services and CEO Frank Walsh to lead the search for a new city manager starting in December.
“I think he’ll be a great addition to our city staff and the whole community,” said Harbor Springs Mayor Tom Graham on Friday.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Kukulski accepts offer to be new city manager for Harbor Springs
Reporting by M. Alan Scott, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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