The Scottsdale City Council voted unanimously to hire Jim Thompson as Scottsdale’s next city manager.

Thompson will begin his duties around Jan. 8, 2017, pending completion of an employment contract.

Thompson served as the city manager of Casa Grande from 2003 until earlier this year where he oversaw city operations and a $175 million budget.

He has 20 years’ experience as a city manager, previously holding that position in Bothell, Washington, and Bullhead City, Arizona.

“This is a wonderful opportunity,” Thompson said. “Scottsdale is a great city and I’m looking forward to working with the City Council, our employees and the community. It’s very exciting.”

Thompson has also served on the Arizona State Personnel Board since 2004 and as an adjunct professor in Arizona State University’s Department of Public Affairs since 2011.

Thompson has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University and a master’s degree in business administration from Regis University.

Under the tentative agreement announced Thursday, Thompson will have a base salary of $211,162 and receive four weeks of paid vacation annually. He will have an annual allowance of $5,000 for professional development and receive a six-month severance package similar to previous Scottsdale city managers.

Thompson was selected from a field of six candidates that also included:

• Konrad Hildebrandt, Assistant City Manager, City of Odessa, Texas
• John Kross, Town Manager, Town of Queen Creek, Arizona
• Joseph L. Lessard, previous Assistant City Manager, City of Austin, Texas
• Gary M. Luebbers, previous City Manager, City of Sunnyvale, California
• Jeffery M. Nichols, City Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, City of Scottsdale, Arizona

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Scottsdale’s city manager position has been vacant since June 2015. Scottsdale Water Director Brian K. Biesemeyer has been serving as acting city manager since then, but was not a candidate for the position full-time.