KINGMAN – Newly hired Kingman City Manager Tim Walsh is proud to have the opportunity to make better the community in which he was born and raised. The Mohave County Development Services Director who topped a field of more than 40 applicants will take the reigns of city government when he starts his new job April 22.

“It’s a great honor to fill this role, and the trust that the city has put in me I don’t take lightly,” Walsh said. “Definitely there are challenges ahead and it’ll take a little bit of time to address them, but I’m excited to take them on, excited to work with the team and excited to continue to serve the citizens of Kingman.”

Walsh, 45, said his lifelong Kingman residency, apart from college, provides familiarity and associations that will help ease and speed his transition into productivity at City Hall.

“I think that does help me. There won’t be the culture shock of moving from another town or city to Kingman,” Walsh said. “I know Kingman and I love it here, so I’m not looking for another place to go to. This is where I want to be. I’m invested here and I want to continue to help Kingman be as great as it is and really make it a place where my kids will want to come back after school as well.”

Walsh said he’s working to complete some projects and provide a good foundation for his staff as he wraps up 14 years of employment with the county.

“Fortunately, I’ve got a great team here at Development Services. It’s a well-oiled machine,” he said. He said his engineering career provides useful building blocks for City administration.

“Engineering is really just problem solving. What is the issue or problem and how do we resolve it,” Walsh said. “I’m excited to take that to the City with me to look at issues and to find those solutions.”

Walsh ultimately succeeds Ron Foggin, the former city manager whose employment was terminated by the Council last Aug. Like Foggin, customer service is a priority for Walsh.

“It’s all about how can we improve that government experience for all of our citizens and working with each of the Directors to look at their Division or their Department individually to see how we can do that,” Walsh said.

Walsh said he’s spending portions of evenings and weekends watching meetings and paying attention to learn more about issues and projects confronting the City. He said he’ll use Paid Time Off when necessary, to attend Kingman meetings while completing his county service.

Walsh will be provided an annual salary of $185,000, plus a $600 monthly vehicle allowance.