Salida has hired former longtime Glenwood Springs City Manager Mike Copp to serve as Interim City Administrator while the search continues to fill the post left vacant since the April 26 resignation of Steve Golnar.
Copp’s first day on the job will be Monday, July 14. Copp will relieve city Finance and Administrative Services Director Jan Schmidt who has been doing double duty, serving as Acting City Administrator since Golnar’s departure. Schmidt will be able to refocus on her job of managing city finances.
Last month, the city’s search committee had narrowed down the field of candidates for the city’s top executive to three. The trio were then introduced to the public June 10 at a question and answer session at the SteamPlant Theater. Unfortunately, the search committee’s top finalist, Bob Campbell of Pagosa Springs, declined Salida’s offer, having accepted a similar post in Farmington, NM.
When informally asked about the status of the Administrator search a week ago, Salida City Councilman Tom Yerkey said he thought Council is interested in making sure the next City Administrator is someone who will “really knock the socks off” citizens in terms of professional credentials and fit for Salida.
In his announcement, Rose noted Copp’s extensive career in city administration began in 1977. Copp is likely best known for defying the tenure odds of his profession by serving as City Manager in Glenwood Springs for 20 years. Depending on the source, the average nationwide tenure of city managers ranges from just 2.7 to 6.4 years.
According to a Glenwood Springs Post Independent report from Copp’s last city council meeting in September 2004, Copp was given a round of applause for his long service to the city before addressing the crowd about his extraordinary career as city manager.
Back in Copp’s early days as city manager, he said the oil shale bust was still affecting the economy of the city. That’s when a group of citizens calling themselves Community on the Move began lobbying for sales tax increases to be used for civic improvements.
That money funded two pedestrian bridges, bicycle trails, Community Center, a new City Hall, a Municipal Operations Center, as well as other projects throughout the city.
Just five weeks after leaving Glenwood Springs, Copp was hired as City Manager for South Pasadena CA. In 2006 he moved back to Colorado, accepting the job of City Manager of Sheridan. In March of this year, Copp was among the top 15 candidates for City Manager of the resort town of Marco Island, FL.
A Pueblo native, Copp earned a Masters in Public Administration with a Major Interest in City Management from the University of Colorado.
Salida’s City Administrator serves as the chief administrative officer of the city and is responsible for directing and coordinating all municipal activities. According to an overview of the position posted on the city’s web site, the successful Administrator must have considerable knowledge of statutes, municipal codes, and other regulations applicable to city government. Financial acumen, excellent planning, organizing, management, verbal and written communication skills are also essential.
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