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Staying the course: No interim city manager
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
Stay the course -- at least for now.
That was the unanimous decision Monday night by the Willcox City Council on whether to appoint an interim city manager.
Prior to the vote, Mayor Sam Lindsey explained that he has been "working through the city and then back through the council. That's how we've been operating so far."
Lindsey suggested that the city continue to operate in the same way at least for now.
The council had voted 6 to 1 at its July 7 meeting not to renew the contract of City Manager Mike Leighton. Councilman Jimmy Norris cast the lone nay vote.
Leighton was placed on administrative leave of absence, with pay and benefits, until his contract runs out on Thursday, July 31.
Asked if the council already had someone in mind as interim city manager, Lindsey said no.
"The mayor and council will run the city until a new manager is hired," he said after the July 7 meeting.
"I personally don't feel we need an interim city manager at this time," Lindsey said Monday night, adding that city staff "has been very open and very cooperative" with the mayor.
"I think Sam's been great to work with," said Dave Bonner, the city's director of public services and works.
"We have had two staff meetings already, after we've had about 12 in the last two years."
Police Chief Jake Weaver said that while he didn't want to speak for the other department heads, "things are working pretty good the way they are right now."
He said that since the directors have their own departments to manage, none of them needed the additional burden of being interim city manager.
Ruth Graham, the city's finance director, said that there is a need to "have someone who's looking more globally" at city issues.
Councilman Stephen Klump expressed concern that it might "take a while to find a replacement."
City Attorney Hector Figueroa recommended that the city allow Human Resources to start the process.
He said that city staff would then come back to the council about setting up interviews with the candidates and involving the public in the process.
Vice Mayor Larry Schultz commented prior to the vote that the city has "one of the best staffs anywhere around."
Councilman Chris Donahue later echoed his comments, saying, "The staff is doing a phenomenal job. Keep up the good work."
That was the unanimous decision Monday night by the Willcox City Council on whether to appoint an interim city manager.
Prior to the vote, Mayor Sam Lindsey explained that he has been "working through the city and then back through the council. That's how we've been operating so far."
Lindsey suggested that the city continue to operate in the same way at least for now.
The council had voted 6 to 1 at its July 7 meeting not to renew the contract of City Manager Mike Leighton. Councilman Jimmy Norris cast the lone nay vote.
Leighton was placed on administrative leave of absence, with pay and benefits, until his contract runs out on Thursday, July 31.
Asked if the council already had someone in mind as interim city manager, Lindsey said no.
"The mayor and council will run the city until a new manager is hired," he said after the July 7 meeting.
"I personally don't feel we need an interim city manager at this time," Lindsey said Monday night, adding that city staff "has been very open and very cooperative" with the mayor.
"I think Sam's been great to work with," said Dave Bonner, the city's director of public services and works.
"We have had two staff meetings already, after we've had about 12 in the last two years."
Police Chief Jake Weaver said that while he didn't want to speak for the other department heads, "things are working pretty good the way they are right now."
He said that since the directors have their own departments to manage, none of them needed the additional burden of being interim city manager.
Ruth Graham, the city's finance director, said that there is a need to "have someone who's looking more globally" at city issues.
Councilman Stephen Klump expressed concern that it might "take a while to find a replacement."
City Attorney Hector Figueroa recommended that the city allow Human Resources to start the process.
He said that city staff would then come back to the council about setting up interviews with the candidates and involving the public in the process.
Vice Mayor Larry Schultz commented prior to the vote that the city has "one of the best staffs anywhere around."
Councilman Chris Donahue later echoed his comments, saying, "The staff is doing a phenomenal job. Keep up the good work."
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