Tucson’s deputy city manager on Tuesday was appointed to the top post once the current city manager leaves the job.
In a 5-0 vote, the City Council named Tim Thomure as the incoming city manager once Michael Ortega officially leaves the position in June, the end of the fiscal year. Councilman Steve Kozachik, who announced his resignation last week, was absent.
Thomure served previously as the director of Tucson Water for five years. He’s been deputy city manager since January 2023.
Ortega, who’s been Tucson’s city manager since 2015, said in January that he would leave the position once the next city budget is approved, which typically happens in June.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said the item was put on Tuesday’s agenda to indicate to the community that the city knows that “stability can continue” within the position.
“Just like his predecessor, (Thomure) has a deep respect for the work of mayor and council... he believes in the mission and the vision that we’ve created as a mayor and council,” Romero said Tuesday.
“He understands that those of us who serve on the council and our elected by the citizens of Tucson, we are elected to serve based on people electing us, based on our vision,” Romero said. “I know that (Thomure) understands that, that he has a deep commitment to that, and that he believes in the mission and the vision that we’ve created as a mayor and council.”
City attorney Mike Rankin was told to begin contract negotiations with Thomure. Ortega’s base salary is about $300,000.
