The Holbrook City Council appointed Randy Sullivan as the permanent city manager during its regular meeting last week. Sullivan had previously been serving as assistant city manager and finance director and has frequently stepped in as interim city manager during past leadership transitions.
Mayor Kathleen Smith expressed strong support for Sullivan, highlighting his extensive experience and the stability he brings to city operations. “Every time that we have a manager leave for various reasons, Mr. Sullivan has always stepped to the plate,” Mayor Smith said praising Sullivan for consistently keeping the city headed in the right direction.
Vice Mayor Nilsson also commended Sullivan, emphasizing his adaptability and strong relationship with the council. “When Randy’s been in charge, it has been our times of greatest peace,” Nilsson said.
Sullivan’s humility and responsiveness were also recognized by Councilwoman Tammy Church who stated, “before honor is humility. You’ve been humble the whole time.”
Councilwoman Teri Tafoya mentioned that Sullivan’s presence at city hall and reduced hands-on fieldwork showed positive growth in his approach to leadership. “I think I’ve seen a lot of improvement there,” she said. Tafoya spoke about before when Sullivan would help out wherever he could even working on the city streets himself, but changing to being better at managing people has improved since being in leadership roles.
Following the appointment, Sullivan will enter negotiations on his contract terms, with the city attorney tasked to draft an employment agreement for approval at the next regular meeting.
Additionally, the council considered introducing a new mandatory business licensing ordinance aimed at improving city oversight of businesses and ensuring compliance with zoning and safety regulations. “Establishing a business license requirement will help the city track active businesses, improve communications, support economic development efforts, and ensure compliance,” Mayor Smith explained.
The proposed ordinance prompted significant discussion about fairness, fees and exemptions. “We really want to tighten up anyone who’s running a business that we’re not aware of,” said Barbara Blythe the city’s code enforcement officer, emphasizing the need for better city oversight and public safety. Blythe called it “embarrassing” when people ask the city about a business in town that the city has never heard of. Fees proposed for the business licenses were suggested at around $35, to be finalized at a special council meeting on July 30.
Council members noted past community resistance to business licensing and raised concerns about possible negative impacts. Vice Mayor Nilsson recalled that the issue had previously been contentious, saying, “The council took this up three years ago. There were people way, way mad about this.”
Despite some concerns, the council generally supported the licensing requirement due to the need for better regulation and accountability. They also discussed which businesses would be required to get one and if people running side businesses from their homes would still be required. The final decision on the ordinance and specific licensing fees will be addressed later this month.
During the meeting, the council also approved a final bid by Watertronics to improve the pump station at the golf course. Sullivan told council that the system needed to be improved five or six years ago and hasn’t been replace in over 40 years. The cost of the contract is $232,536. The new system is expected to reduce the cost of maintenance the city must perform on the system and should improve water efficiency when irrigating.
Council also approved the final budget for the fiscal year not changing any figures from the tentative budget passed last month.
