August 7, 2008
Rio Rancho Journal
Mayor's Manager Pick Unopposed
By Rosalie Rayburn, Journal Staff WriterFrom the opening pledge of allegiance to the roll call, it took city councilors about 15 minutes to approve Mayor Thomas Swisstack's pick for a new city manager.
City councilors voted unanimously on Wednesday to waive the right to search for other candidates and support Swisstack's recommendation that former City Administrator James Jimenez return to his old job at City Hall.
Jimenez will likely take over as city manager as early as Oct. 1. Outgoing City Manager Jim Payne, who resigned last month, will leave the position Sept. 30.
Swisstack gave a brief presentation asking councilors to forgo a procedure authorized by the city charter that says councilors can screen and rank up to five possible candidates for the city manager's position.
He said Jimenez's experience in city and state government and his long-term residency in Rio Rancho made him an ideal candidate.
Jimenez served as Rio Rancho's finance director from 1995 to 1999, when he became city administrator. He left that position in 2003 to become deputy secretary, later secretary of the state Department of Finance. Gov. Bill Richardson appointed Jimenez as his chief of staff in 2006. He recently resigned from that position.
Councilors Michael Williams, Steve Shaw and Patty Thomas said they had previous experience working with Jimenez and would welcome his return.
Thomas said she also served on committees during the last two searches for a city manager.
“I believe if we searched for weeks we couldn't find a better-qualified candidate,” Thomas said.
Councilor Larry Naranjo asked Swisstack if he had briefed Jimenez on the challenges Rio Rancho faces such as finding funds for roads and other infrastructure projects.
Swisstack said he had and Jimenez himself spoke briefly about his enthusiasm for the work.
“I believe in this community,” Jimenez said.
In an interview after the meeting, Jimenez said the challenges Rio Rancho faces now are similar to those he handled when he previously worked for the city.
Jimenez's salary as city manager has not been established. City attorney Jim Babin said city staff will now negotiate with Jimenez over the terms of his employment contract.
Many of those in the audience, including several city staffers, greeted the council's vote with applause.
But not everyone was happy about the decision.
Bill Wilson, president of the Vista Hills Neighborhood Association, was concerned there had been no search and no other candidates considered.
“There's a lot of other talent out there,” Wilson said in an interview after the meeting.