EASTON — Former Northampton County Director of Administration Luis Campos was appointed Easton’s city administrator Tuesday, filling a high-ranking position that has been vacant for six months. Campos will officially begin the city administrator job Wednesday, starting at an annual salary of $108,000. In addition, he will receive two $2,500 “step increases,” one at the completion of his first year on the job, and the other after the completion of his second year, Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said during a special council meeting Tuesday. The step increases may be in addition to any managers’ raises. Campos replaces former City Administrator Glenn Steckman, who suddenly resigned during a Jan. 13 City Council meeting after serving as the city’s administrator since 2009. At the time, some City Council members said Steckman’s departure was due at least in part to tension with Panto resulting from the setup of their duties. Under the city’s Home Rule Charter, which was adopted in 2007, the mayor serves as council president and functions as the CEO. The administrator oversees city affairs and departments, working closely with and reporting to the mayor. Panto has previously said the responsibilities of Easton’s city administrator would remain the same. Steckman, who was Easton’s first city administrator, was appointed in June as managing director of Reading. Campos, of Hanover Township, Lehigh County, resigned last month from his position as Northampton County director of administration. He has declined to specify the reasons for his departure, but said Tuesday that it had nothing to do with his candidacy for the Easton job. Campos served in the county role since 2014 and was making $87,838 as of December 2014. “Luis brings to the position a remarkable professional career at both the state and county levels of government, as well as pertinent public and private sector experience,” Panto said Tuesday. Campos was vetted by a selection committee consisting of Panto, council members Roger Ruggles, Peter Melan and James Edinger, city attorney Bill Murphy, Human Resources Manager Marc Redding and Controller Tony Bassil. On Tuesday, Campos thanked members of City Council, who unanimously approved his appointment to the position. He also complimented them on the extensive vetting process, and said he believes the city is heading in the right direction. “There has been a budget surplus the last eight years with money going back into the general fund … you can see the city is growing,” he said, adding that the city seems to be turning into a significant tourism destination. City officials began advertising for a new administrator in March, posting the position to the city’s website and websites for the Government Finance Officers Association, National League of Cities and the Pennsylvania Municipal League. Applicants had until April 20 to submit a cover letter with their salary, a resume and five references. On Tuesday, Panto said city officials received 45 to 50 applications from across the country, including the West Coast, Alaska, Maryland and Florida. As Northampton County’s director of administration, Campos served as top lieutenant to County Executive John Brown. All county department heads would report to Campos, who would then report directly to Brown, a similar setup to Easton’s city administrator position. Campos serves as a member of the Lehigh Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the FE Foundation, an offshoot that promotes educational opportunities for Hispanics in the region. Twitter @ChristinaTatu 610-820-6583