Mark Bauer says it’s a natural career path that convinced him to leave an 18-year career with the city of Enumclaw and accept the city manager’s position in nearby Edgewood.

Bauer has served as Enumclaw’s city administrator since 1999 and, for eight years prior to that, was the city’s public works director.

“This was my year to look for a city manager’s position,” Bauer said. “It’s a position most city administrators are looking for.”

The difference is in the type of government adopted by a city.

Enumclaw has a mayor-council form of government, meaning the mayor is in charge of the city’s day-to-day operations. The city administrator, like all employees, reports to the mayor, who is elected by the citizens.

Edgewood operates under a council-manager type of government, where the day-to-day running of the city is left in the hands of the manager. The public elects a seven-member council and those seven choose one of their own to serve as mayor.

As Enumclaw’s city administrator, Bauer reported first to Mayor George Rossman and, for the past eight years, to Mayor John Wise.

“As a city manager, you’re the decision-maker,” Bauer said.

Bauer admits the changing political scene in Enumclaw played a role in his job search. City Councilwoman Liz Reynolds outpolled Wise during the Nov. 3 general election and will take over as mayor in January. During the course of her campaign, Reynolds was critical of city administration on several fronts.

“I was uncomfortable with the political climate,” Bauer said. “Who knows what the future would have brought?”

The job in Edgewood, a city of about 10,000 sitting north of Puyallup and west of Sumner, reportedly attracted more than 60 candidates.

“I guess they were more comfortable with my qualifications and with me as a person,” Bauer said.

The details of Bauer’s contract with Edgewood have not been finalized. His final day in Enumclaw will be Dec. 14, the day the City Council is slated to adopt the 2010 operating budget.