Acting Manager Marianne Jiménez drops out of the competition for city manager

. . . And then there was one

Cottonwood City Council members were surprised Wednesday night as their choices for a new manager were narrowed once again, but not by their own hand.

Acting Manager Marianne Jiménez withdrew her name from consideration in the city manager selection process only hours before interviews were scheduled at the board's regular council meeting. The withdrawal leaves Police Chief Doug Bartosh as the lone remaining candidate among finalists.

Jiménez sent a statement to the council and press saying that she is backing away from the manager's race for personal reasons:

"I have withdrawn from the application process for the position of the city manager.  For personal reasons I do not feel it is in my best interest to continue with the interview process.

"It was a great honor to be selected as one of the finalist.  I will continue to serve in the capacity of acting city manager for as long as the Council desires, and remain committed to the City of Cottonwood."

Mayor Diane Joens told the board and the audience that the next step is a council decision on the manager selection Jan. 15. She said at that time the council may "make a job offer or re-advertise the position."

Originally, 20 applicants filed for the manager's vacancy. A short-list reduced that number to three candidates, including Bartosh, Jiménez and a third candidate from the Phoenix area. The third finalist, Shane Dille, formerly worked in the Town of Buckeye, accepted a position with the Town of Queen Creek as its deputy manager.