The City Council has formed a subcommittee to lead a national search for the next city manager
VANCOUVER – After 17 years of service to the city of Vancouver, City Manager Eric Holmes has announced his retirement today, effective October 11.
In a news release from the city of Vancouver, it was stated that “during his time as city manager, Holmes has been instrumental in leading initiatives and projects that have positively impacted the city and its residents.’’ These projects include the development of Vancouver’s waterfront and the continued work to create the Heights District. Holmes also focused on development and structure of the city’s workforce to ensure the organization is resilient and ready for the continued growth of the community.
“My 17 years with the city – 14 as city manager – have been the most rewarding of my career,” said City Manager Eric Holmes. “I have had the honor of working with multiple generations of elected leadership, exceptional talent across the city organization and built partnerships with community. I still have a lot to accomplish over the next several months and intend to see this work through.”
Under his leadership, the city has become known for transformative approaches to affordable housing, transportation planning, addressing homelessness and evolving community expectations related to policing and public safety.
“We are sad to see Eric retire but are grateful for his steadfast commitment to our community for the last 14 years as our city manager,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “The Council and I have appreciated his perspective and counsel; he has been an invaluable advisor to us and city staff. He has served Vancouver with integrity and dedication.”
The City Council has formed a subcommittee to lead a national search for the next city manager. More details about the search will be released at a later date. Vancouver operates under a council-manager form of government where the City Council appoints a city manager to serve as the chief executive of the city.
Information provided by the city of Vancouver.
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There’s more to this story than we’ll ever know, guaranteed.
17 yrs with the city
14 yrs as city mgr.
$344,000.00 per yr, along with benefits
54 yrs old
There is virtually no chance of his snagging another job, at 54 yrs, that will pay the same salary he is getting now which is $6,600.00 per WEEK. The kinds of jobs with this kind of salary are for long-term employees, not new hires.
Of course, he could get into the political-industrial-complex as a lobbyist and likely make that kind of money (between the salary and bribes).
You wait and see… the next mgr that is hired will most likely start at nearly the same salary. Vancouver City will, in a few years, be paying nearly the same salary ($344k) for an out-of-towner with no historical understanding of Vancouver, and with less relevant experience than Holmes.
Maybe Holmes just sees the writing on the wall and is bailing ahead of the crumble?
Vancouver, as a city, cannot continue on its present course. There are far too many financial-shenanigans going on. Big developers mostly decide what happens. Basic services and infrastructure are either under-funded or ignored. The city is too concerned with taking away parking places, installing bike lanes, and narrowing 2-lanes to 1-lane and calling it “traffic enhancement.” There are too many tax incentives (aka “giveaways”) and, as of today’s news, too much loan-forgiveness (as in Share) explained away by saying “we just don’t understand it, so let’s forget it.”
Mayor Anne simply needs to go, as do several of the City Council, at the next election.