David Pribulka

BELLEFONTE — Bellefonte Borough Council has formally offered interim manager David Pribulka the position permanently.

With unanimous and enthusiastic support, council approved the hiring of Pribulka, who has directed the borough in an interim capacity since September 2025.

Bellefonte’s top administrative position has been vacant since March 2025, when longtime manager Ralph Stewart retired.

“I want to say I am extremely grateful to President Johnson, Mayor Johnson and all of the borough council for your confidence in me to serve as your next borough manager,” Pribulka said. “I’m thrilled to be able to drop the interim from that title this evening.”

He said he is eager to continue supporting the council and carrying out its vision for the community, and pledged his full commitment to ethical and professional municipal management.

“After reviewing your qualifications, working with you as interim manager over the past six months and becoming acquainted with you, we believe you are the right person to help borough council manage the borough for the foreseeable future,” Council President Doug Johnson wrote in Pribulka’s employment letter.

At the meeting, Johnson thanked the ad hoc committee overseeing the hiring process — Councilmembers Deb Cleeton, Barbara Dann, Claudia Wilson and Jon Eaton — and said, “It has been a trying time for borough council the last year and a half, so we’re excited about this.”

Pribulka’s anticipated start date is July 1, contingent upon execution of the employment contract.

According to documents provided by council, Pribulka has been offered a $135,000 starting salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

As borough manager, Pribulka will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of borough government, including finance and budgeting, purchasing and other administrative matters and providing direction and oversight for all municipal departments. Reporting directly to borough council, he will be responsible for implementing council policies and serving as a liaison between council and Bellefonte residents.

Pribulka, who has a Master’s in Public Administration, Political Science and Government from Kutztown University, has extensive experience in government administration from serving various municipalities in Pennsylvania and New York.

Between 2017 and 2022, he served as manager of nearby Ferguson Township. He also previously served as president of the Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of professional municipal managers and administrators.

Pribulka told The Express his top priority is becoming more familiar with the borough’s processes and practices to better support council and staff.

“I intend to spend my first months here as borough manager developing a deeper understanding of this great community and the many people and organizations who work tirelessly to provide public services and build our sense of place,” Pribulka said.

He noted that the mission, vision and values of Bellefonte Borough originate with council, which is entrusted by residents to ensure quality service delivery and position the community for future challenges, and said he will do his best to support council in carrying out those responsibilities.

“I will do everything in my power to help them succeed in achieving their goals for the community, and will work hard to empower staff with the tools needed to do their jobs safely and effectively,” he said.

Pribulka also said he looks forward to helping expand the borough’s digital presence with a more accessible website and expanded electronic and printed communications.

“Good government is transparent and provides residents and stakeholders with opportunities to engage across multiple platforms,” he said. “I look forward to working with them to help reach our residents across different forms of media and providing new opportunities for public engagement to help inform their policy decisions.”