David Pribulka will be Bellefonte’s borough manager on a permanent basis after holding the position in an interim capacity since September.
The Borough Council voted unanimously on Monday night to offer an employment agreement as Bellefonte’s top administrator to Pribulka.
Pribulka expressed gratitude to the council, its ad hoc committee for the new manager appointment and Mayor Buddy Johnson for their confidence in him.
“Over these last six months I’ve had the honor and privilege of working with each of you and the exemplary staff here at Bellefonte Borough as your interim manager, and I’m thrilled to be able to drop the interim from that title this evening,” Pribulka said. “I look forward to continuing to support council in achieving your vision for the community in the years ahead and commit my full faith and effort to the principles of ethical and professional municipal management in the office to which I’ve been entrusted.”
Pribulka was appointed interim manager on Sept. 8 through an agreement with Keystone Municipal Solutions following the retirement of longtime borough manager Ralph Stewart at the end of March 2025.
Though his work as manager will be uninterrupted, Pribulka’s employment agreement as permanent manager officially begins on July 1. He will receive a salary of $130,000 and benefits, according to the offer letter.
Council member Joanne Tosti-Vasey said she “enthusiastically” made the motion to appoint Pribulka at Monday night’s meeting, while Randy Brachbill said he was “happily” voting yes.
“It’s been a trying time for Borough Council the last year and a half. So we’re excited about this,” Council President Doug Johnson said.
Pribulka was already a familiar face in Centre County government before arriving in Bellefonte. He worked for Ferguson Township for more than nine years, first as assistant manager from 2012 to 2017 then as township manager until he departed in February 2022 to become manager of Susquehanna Township in Dauphin County.
He later became county administrator of Livingston County, New York, serving for about a year before returning to Centre County for the Bellefonte job.
