Las Cruces chooses new city manager

Update: City Council offered the position to Ikani Taumoepeau. If Taumoepeau agrees to the tentative offer, he will start April, 1, 2024.

“City Council chose Ikani for his experience, knowledge, and his ability to work well with the community, organization, and with Mayor and Council,” said Mayor Eric Enriquez. “Since he joined us three years ago, Ikani has shown that he cares for the people in the organization and the community."

Taumoepeau currently serves as an assistant city manager in Las Cruces, but he also has experience working as a city manager in California.

“I am honored to be chosen as Las Cruces City Manager," Taumoepeau said. "I have had the privilege to work with City Council, City staff, and the community in the last several years and am proud of the work we have done so far. I look forward to continuing to implement the vision of City Council and make Las Cruces the community that we all want to live and thrive in."

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Las Cruces City Council will interview three candidates for city manager in a closed session tomorrow.

City Council released the names of the three candidates Tuesday. They are Assistant City Manager Sonya Delgado, Director of Public Works David Sedillo, and Assistant City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau. City Council selected the three finalists from a pool of nine in a meeting Monday.

"Councilors chose to select the new City Manager from qualified applicants already employed by the City of Las Cruces," officials explained Tuesday.

Current City Manager Ifo Pili announced his resignation in February. He'll be taking a position in Utah. Pili had served Las Cruces as city manager since September 2020. He is staying with the city through the end of March.

"A [final] decision by City Council will be made during an open meeting sometime after the March 20 interviews are completed," city officials stated.