Novi City Manager Pete Auger has announced his retirement from city management after 38 years of public service including the last eight years with the City of Novi. His last day will be November 30. A retirement Open House is planned for Tuesday, November 22 at the Fireside at the Hyatt Place in Novi.
Auger leaves Novi after securing more than $220 million in business investments, including Harman International, Daifuku, Berkshire eSupply, A123 Systems, Hino Trucks, Magna Seating and Lineage Logistics and guiding more than $95 million in infrastructure improvements for the City’s roads, water and sewer network. During his tenure, the Novi Police Department became nationally accredited (and recently reaccredited) through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and received State of Michigan accreditation through the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. In 2021, the Novi dispatch center also became accredited by CALEA and the Novi Fire Department began its accreditation process. The envied combination system Fire Department model was enhanced to staff all stations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Over the past few years, the Novi Parks system saw enhancements to Lakeshore Park with a new 6,200-sqare-foot community building, the addition of an RC Racetrack at the Water Tower Park and 13 new recreational fields at Bosco Fields. Auger also spearheaded the land swap between the City and Novi Community School District affording each the opportunity to build new or enhance existing facilities.
In his retirement announcement to the Novi City Council, Auger stated, “Thank you for the opportunity to exercise leadership and be a part of this great community. I have been blessed to be surrounded by ultimate professionals in the many disciplines that make up our organization. We have accomplished much in the last eight years, and I know there is still much work to do.” Auger said this is and has been a very tough decision, but there never is a good time to part, especially in a great city where there are amazing things happening each day. Mayor Bob Gatt said Auger’s commitment to the community and business acumen has helped poise Novi for the future. “With Mr. Auger at the helm, Novi has accomplished many amazing things these past eight years, including last week’s distinction by Fortune as the number 10 place to live in the United State for families. Our Novi remains a top destination for those to live and work in because of the work he and his team have done to ensure we remain the quality community for which we are known. He will be missed and his replacement will have big shoes to fill.” Auger was appointed as City Manager of the City of Novi in September 2014. Prior to coming to Novi, he was the City Manager of Auburn Hills, Michigan. He has nearly three decades of public service experience, including his service in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Auger received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University and completed his Master of Public Administration degree at Oakland University. He also is a graduate of the Gettysburg Leadership Institute and completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. In addition, he is a Credentialed City Manager through the International City Managers Association.
In 2010, Mr. Auger was selected for a week-long Fellowship on Economic Development in the Ruhr Valley Region (around Essen Germany) speaking on economic development practices and comparing his practices to those implemented in the European Union. In 2012, he was selected as a Finalist for Crain’s Detroit CFO of the year. Earlier this year, he was again selected for another week-long Fellowship back at Harvard for a Public Sector Executive Summit, The Future City.
Mr. Auger has served on many different boards including past President of the Michigan Municipal Executives (MME) and past Chair for the Municipal Services Committee for the Michigan Municipal League (MML).
According to the Novi City Charter, the position of the City Manager is appointed by the Novi City Council. We anticipate the City Council to begin the process to fill this position shortly.