23 apply for Somerton city admin post

Council members reviewing applicants; no timetable on decision

SOMERTON — Twentythree candidates are seeking to become Somerton’s next city administrator.

The recruiting period closed last week, and city council members now are individually reviewing credentials of each candidate in the opening round of selection process that will take an undetermined amount of time.

The candidate chosen by the council will fill the vacancy created in September by the resignation of Bill Lee. The post has been filled on an acting basis by the city’s economic development coordinator, Hector Tapia, who is also one of the applicants for the position.

This week, the council met behind closed doors to discuss some of the qualifications and requirements of the post and the process that will be used to arrive at a selection.

“There’s no timetable for making a decision,” Yepez said. “We want to have enough time to find the most qualified person for the post.”

Yepez said the new administrator will have to be someone who is experienced in applying for grants from the state and federal governments and other funding sources. Also, the administrator must be well-versed on the subjects of annexation and economic development.

Tapia will not be taking part with the council in its discussions to narrow down the field.

“I am one of the ones who is applying for the position, but I am pleased that there are so many candidates. It shows that there is interest in coming to Somerton,” Tapia said.

City officials did not release a list of names of the other applicants.