Council hires new city leader

Ferguson drops 'interim' from City Administrator title

Jim Ferguson was supposed to just fill in temporarily until Council could hire a permanent City Administrator. On Monday, Council determined they had found their man.

Ferguson, 59, agreed to a two-year deal worth $105,000 with an option for an additional year to be the Administrator, Economic Development Director and Public Works Director.

He was hired on June 14 on an interim basis for the second time. He also served as the interim City Administrator from Nov. 2000 through April 2001.

While his past experiences played a part in his decision to stay, it was Winslow's future that intrigued him.

"I thank Council for this opportunity and I appreciate the trust you're placing in me," he told Council. "I take it very seriously."

Ferguson steps into a position that oversees a budget of almost $21 million and a staff of about 100. But there are also several large on-going projects ‹ Mike's Pike extension, Renaissance on Route 66 Phase II ‹ which require consistent leadership over the next few years.

Ferguson said he enjoys the challenge that such projects bring.

"These things take time. It could easily be two years on major projects," he said. "My satisfaction in public service is in looking back at projects and saying, 'that was great.'"

When he accepted the interim position, Ferguson said he was not considering a permanent job in Winslow because his wife, Nina, worked full-time in the Valley in a human resources position. Finding a similar position will be more difficult in Northern Arizona.

Ferguson's contract requires that he and his wife reside in Winslow. But Council agreed to rewrite that clause to accommodate Nina's job search. Otherwise, Ferguson dropped the interim label from his job title as of Aug. 1.

Council unanimously approved the contract with the revision, 7-0. City Council and staff looked at eight other candidates before choosing Ferguson.

"I look forward to a long and hopefully fruitful relationship," Mayor Jim Boles told Ferguson.

Ferguson previously served as City Administrator in Summerton, Ariz., and Logan and Provo, Utah. He also served in a variety of positions in Yuma and was President of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation. Ferguson has nine children and seven grandchildren. He enjoys spending time with his family, reading and playing golf.

He said he expects his stay in Winslow to last a lot longer this time.

"This is my community now," he told Council. "I believe Winslow has an exciting future ahead of it and I'm looking forward to be a part of it."