The City Manager of Eugene will be stepping down after 11 years. In a press release sent today, Jon Ruiz says it’s the “right time” to begin a new season.
Ruiz says a lot has been accomplished with the community, Eugene City Council, and city employees since he was appointed to the position in April 2008.
Ruiz was charged with navigating the city through challenging times, including the Great Recession which saw budget cuts surpassing 30 million dollars. He also co-founded the Veterans Housing Project, and helped pave the way for the ongoing redevelopment of 16 acres of riverfront property.
The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce bestowed the First Citizen Award upon Ruiz in 2017, for his work in addressing downtown revitalization and tackling veteran homelessness.
Ruiz will officially retire on October 18, 2019. Public Works Director Sarah Medary will serve as interim City Manager the next day.
Tune in to KLCC later on Friday for more on this story.
Copyright 2019, KLCC.