Sunland Park hires new city manager

Sunland Park residents and council members cheered as Julia Brown was chosen to be the city manager.

Brown is no stranger to politics.

She was hired as county manager by the Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners in 2013.

In February 2014 she played a major role in shifting $1.4 million from the Sheriff’s Office to the county’s general fund. That didn’t sit well with Sheriff Kiki Vigil.

In March of 2015 Brown called for the resignation of county treasurer David Gutierrez after he admitted offering an employee money in exchange for sex. When he didn’t step down, Brown initiated a recall.

Last April, commissioners voted to fire Brown and in November, Brown served notice she wants compensation for a wrongful termination claim.

After her appointment to the city manager seat, Brown says she’s ready to hit the ground running.

“I’ll be meeting with all of the members of the City Council and the mayor to get input from them in terms of goals and objectives from the city and where they would like to see us going,” Brown said.

Brown a former attorney, said she has the skills to move the city forward not only because of her legal background but her experience.

“I also have a background in community and economic development, small business development and foreign trades service,” Brown said.

Sunland Park Mayor Javier Perea told ABC-7 it was Brown’s experience that made her the clear choice for city manager.

“I think it’s not only going to help us to provide economic development but with that comes social development and we can provide more services to the community and if she can be that key person that can guide us through the next step we are going to be very excited,” Perea said.