Dolores Town Manager Lana Hancock has announced that she has resigned effective Dec. 31.
Board member Trevor Ince also resigned because he moved from the area.
Hancock plans to continue to serve as the town clerk and treasurer.
“I never intended to be the manager permanently. I stepped in to help the town,” she said.
When former Town Manager Ryan Mahoney left in 2013, the town board advertised and interviewed for a town manager but did not get a candidate they liked.
Hancock agreed to serve as interim manager, then was hired as manager in 2015 in addition to her duties as clerk and treasurer.
The town plans to advertise for an interim manager to begin in February and search for a permanent one to be in place by August 2018.
“It is with great regret that we accept your resignation,” said Mayor Santiago Lopez.
Hancock said as town manager she focused on maintaining critical infrastructure and services for residents and increased the town’s cash reserves.
As manager, she oversaw upgrades to the water and wastewater systems for town. She also persuaded the board to implement new parking rules to accommodate plowing, and successfully got passed a requirement that all trash cans in town be bear-proof.
“They are not the most glamorous projects, but without a solid core, a town cannot exist,” she said.
Hancock credited her staff for their hard work and the board for their support.
“Our staff is stellar and know how to do their jobs. I appreciate the trust the board had in me and the opportunity to serve as manager,” she said.
Going forward, she said the new manager will be faced with rising operating and maintenance costs and a limited budget.
Decisions ahead will be how to “keep the level of services we have now. Raising the sales tax and mill levy will need to be considered,” she said.
The interim manager position would be for three to six months. Qualifications include a minimum of three years of experience as a municipal manager and a bachelor’s degree in a practical and applicable field. Interested applicants should contact Lana Hancock at lana@townofdolores.com.
Proposals will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Jan. 26. Accepting the interim position does not preclude the interim manager from applying for and accepting the manager position.
The town will be accepting applicants to replace Ince’s vacated board seat. The board will appoint a replacement, who will have to run in the April election to retain the seat. For more information on applying for appointment to the open board position, contact the town at 882-7720.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
