Somerton names Tapia as acting city administrator
SOMERTON — Hector Tapia, Somerton’s economic development director, will serve as acting city administrator while a search takes place for candidates to fill the post permanently.
The Somerton City Council voted unanimously to name Tapia as interim administrator on Wednesday, a day after Bill Lee announced his resignation.
“It’s an honor for me, and the mission is to continue and finish the (city) projects that are in progress,” said Tapia.
Those projects, he said, include finalizing the purchase of land on Somerton’s west side for a park and athletic complex that will be shared by city residents and students of a future high school; the redesign of Somerton’s downtown corridor, and the search for tenant or buyer for a shuttered business building on Main Street that the city recently bought.
Tapia said he believes he can make a smooth transition into the post, since he’s already been involved in those projects as the economic development director.
But his first task will be to advertise for candidates to fill Lee’s post. Tapia said he plans to submit his own application for the position.
“We want to have a permanent administrator soon,” said Gerardo Anaya, Somerton’s vice mayor. “Advertising (for applicants) is going to open in a month, but the position will be in good hands with Hector, who has experience, training and who knows the city’s projects.”
Tapia came to Somerton in 2015 after having served as a senior planner for Tempe. Before that, he held planning and zoning posts in the cities of Nogales, Goodyear and Mesa.
Lee has served more than eight years as Somerton’s city administrator.
He announced his resignation after meeting with the city council members in a closed session. Somerton Mayor Jose Yepez said the council members had failed to reach an agreement among themselves to renew his contract.
“He gave very good years of service to the city, almost nine years,” Yepez said, adding that Lee is leaving on good terms with the city.
Lee previously worked for Somerton as city parks and recreation director from 1991 to 1997. He rejoined the city as administrator in 2009, succeeding Cliff O’Neill.