Bueras named interim city manager, called best choice by councilmembers

According to an agreement reached in September, current city Manager Kevin Evans will leave his post on Jan. 20. The city hired Waters-Oldani Executive Recruitment firm in November for $22,000 to find a new city manager and the firm plans to extend an offer to the candidate it selects by Feb. 22. Bueras’ emergency appointment at an annual salary of $148,724 will be effective Jan. 21 and last until a new manager is hired.

Asked why the council did not elevate one of the two assistant city managers to the position, Councilmember Carl Diedrich said that one or both of them might be seeking the city manager job on a permanent basis and that for the council to select one as interim manager could create an impression of favoritism. He added both assistant city managers, Roger Kolman and Patrick Melvin, have heavy responsibilities in their current jobs and that moving one of them to the city’s top administrative slot would leave a void in that person’s department.

“Vanessa isn’t seeking the job long-term and she has a deputy city clerk who can continue to carry out the duties of that office,” Diedrich said.

Vice Mayor Edward Farrell said there is no established procedure for selecting an interim city manager, but that picking Bueras makes sense.

“When you look at the city manager job, in terms of overseeing staff policies and procedures, no one knows those better than the city clerk,” Farrell said. “There are a few municipalities in Arizona right now that have their clerks serving as city manager on an interim basis.”

Bueras confirmed that she is not seeking the city manager position on a permanent basis.

“We are trying very hard to hire a permanent city manager as soon as possible,” Diedrich said.