Key figure at City Hall leaving to manage Globe

In an otherwise brief meeting, the Maricopa City Council took time to honor Intergovernmental Affairs Director Paul Jepson as he prepares to leave Maricopa to become the city manager of Globe.

Jepson has been a part of the Maricopa city staff for a decade. He was one of the first employees hired by the city, and he has played an integral role in gathering funding for the overpass on State Route 347.

“I applied for a management assistant job through the college, and I was hired as employee No. 13,” Jepson says. “Initially, it was ‘Hey, we’re brand new and working out of trailers. You have a master’s degree and are a teacher so you know about education.’ I also happen to be [knowledgeable] in educational technology, so I was able to help with the webpage as well. That’s probably why I was hired. I was able to fill three hats, and I was willing to do it.”

See our feature on Paul Jepson.

Former mayors Edward Farrell and Anthony Smith came to pay homage to Jepson, and council member Peggy Chapados was overcome with emotion as she presented Jepson with gifts to help him in his new position.

“I had a really good time today reminiscing and thinking about stories about Paul,” Farrell said. “He’s raised his children while working in the city of Maricopa. He’s a very hard worker and when I think of Paul there’s one word that comes to mind; relationships. This man is all about relationships. He’ll serve the city of Globe well as he has the city of Maricopa.”

During their brief agenda, the council unanimously approved a three-year contract with Wells Fargo Bank for banking and depository services and heard a presentation from Jepson on updates from the 2016 Arizona Legislative session. The council also approved a transfer of $12, 672 from the city’s contingency fund to the Maricopa Fire Department for professional and occupational services, but the vote was split 5-1.

“My main concern was taking action with contingency funds for things that have already been expended without that type of consideration,” council member Nancy Smith said. “Granted, it’s just $12,000, but it was a matter of principle for me.”

The council will reconvene on March 15 at 7 p.m.