Tucumcari city manager steps down

Tucumcari’s city manager is stepping down from his current position but will remain employed by the City of Tucumcari in his previous roles as assistant city manager.

City Manager Mark Martinez provided the Quay County Sun a copy of his resignation letter, dated March 24, that was given to the city commission. He stated would continue to serve as city manager position until a replacement is hired.

“It has been quite an accomplishment for an individual that was born and raised in this town,” Martinez wrote in the letter. “This is my home and I am making this decision considering it is the best decision for my family and I, as well as the City.”

Martinez said he submitted his 60-day notice to exercise an option to revert to his previous position as assistant city manager, stating “it is the best decision for my career.”

“Due to hard work and determination, I have been blessed to move up within the organization throughout my tenure at the city,” Martinez wrote in an email Monday to the Quay County Sun. “However, I believe that the opportunity to become city manager came earlier in my career than expected. My contract was coming up for renewal in the near future and it was the perfect opportunity to take a step back and re-evaluate my career goals. I was asked to step up and take on the role and I enjoyed doing so.

“I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve the community and I am very appreciative for everybody’s support. I will still continue to play an important role for the city and look forward at the opportunity to potentially apply for the position near retirement.”

The city placed a legal notice in the Quay County Sun’s April 20 edition, advertising an opening for a city manager.

City Commissioner Christopher Arias said Martinez made the decision about the time the two-year mark of his hiring as city manager was coming up. Martinez was named interim city manager in April 2020 after his predecessor, Britt Lusk, announced he was leaving to take a similar position in Texas.

Martinez also served briefly as an interim city manager in 2018 before Lusk was hired.

Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield said she understood Martinez wanted to spend more time with his family and noted his city manager duties had consumed many hours.

“I’m very pleased with what he’s done,” she said, “but family comes first. I understand that.”

Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Moya during a commission meeting in March urged Martinez to hire an assistant city manager, saying he was “overwhelmed” with his city manager duties. Moya said at the time an assistant was needed because Martinez often did not return phone calls.

Moya speculated last week that brief discussion might have “sparked” thoughts in Martinez of stepping back from his role.

“I think he did an extremely good job,” Moya said, “but I think one of his weaknesses was not delegating to lower-ranked people.”

The city will be taking resumes from city manager applicants through May 20.