The Spearfish City Council has approved a contract to bring a familiar face back to city government.
On Monday, council members unanimously approved an employment agreement with Ashley McDonald, returning her to the role of city attorney. McDonald previously served in the position from 2018 until July of 2024, when she left to enter private practice.
Since then, she has continued to assist the city in an interim capacity at various times, including before the hiring of former City Attorney David Knox and following his departure earlier this year.
Under the newly approved contract, McDonald will earn an annual salary of just over $166,000. The agreement also includes 80 hours of paid time off upon hire and ongoing PTO accrual at a rate of 7.7 hours per pay period.
In addition, the contract provides three months of severance pay if McDonald resigns or is dismissed without cause, a provision that was also included in her previous employment agreement with the city.
McDonald’s return brings experienced leadership back to the city attorney’s office as Spearfish continues to fill key administrative positions.
