The Monterey Board of Mayor and Aldermen appointed Rafferty Cleary to serve as the new City Administrator during its Monday meeting.
Mayor Alex Garcia said the appointment provides the town with a necessary continuity of government that will extend beyond the terms of elected officials. Garcia said the position is essential because the mayor currently acts as the administrator while often balancing other full-time professional obligations.
“The next one is to consider the administrator appointment,” Garcia said. “I sent you all an email considering this with the application. I would like to make a motion that we appoint Rafferty to that position.”
Garcia said the position carries an annual salary of $80,000, which was already accounted for in the current budget. Garcia said while Cleary was the only applicant for the position, he felt confident in the choice because of Cleary’s certifications and local knowledge.
“I knew who I wanted for the position,” Garcia said. “That’s why I made the motion.”
Garcia said while serving as the city’s cultural administrator, Cleary had already assumed some of the city administrator roles under the mayor’s direction. Garcia told the board Cleary’s first day on the job would be Tuesday.
“He’s getting his master’s degree,” Garcia said. “He’s got his CMFO certification. He goes to all the meetings, he knows all about tourism. So who’s better than somebody that loves this town, lives in this town, and knows everything about this town?”
Garcia said he expects Cleary’s tenure to last multiple mayor terms, which are currently limited to two-year term limits.
“Rafferty’s got to get his feet wet,” Garcia said. “There’s going to be some hiccups. I expect that. But I think he’s going to do just fine.”
In other business, the board voted to approve a resolutions for a $2,500 grant match with Public Entity Partners to purchase boots for the Water and Sewer plant workers.