BUDA – The Buda City Council has unanimously agreed that Jennifer Tubbs of Watertown, MI, is the person they want for their next city manager.

The Buda council voted unanimously for Tubbs after a round of interviews with five finalists on June 28. The other canidadates were Belinda Espinosa from Pinole, CA, Dennis McDuffie from McGregor, TX, Michael Miller from Farmington, NM, and Dion Miller from Mineola, TX.

The city has offered Tubbs a contract and is awaiting her response. Buda Mayor Bobby Lane said he expects the new city manager to start on Aug. 15.

Lane said he wanted Tubbs to start on Aug. 1, but she told him her contract in Watertown requires her to give 30 days notice.

Asked what he liked about Tubbs, Lane said, “Everything. Her skill set, she has a planning degree, ten years on her job (in Watertown), presence, interviewing skills, she was a quick study on Buda, she’s very strong in community development.”

RELATED IN THE MERCURY:

• Buda to interview new round of city manager candidates | July 16, 2008
• Buda offers city manager contract to Diboll’s Williams | August 2, 2008
• Buda hires interim, sort of | February 24, 2008
• Buda year in review: Change at the top, but not on Main Street | December 29, 2008
• Dodd beats Gray in Buda council run-off | June 17, 2008