MARFA — The Marfa City Council passed a resolution last week appointing Kelly Perez as the interim city manager for the City of Marfa.
Mandy Roane resigned from the city’s top administrative role, which she held for over four years, two weeks ago. Perez has been serving as the city secretary under Roane since August 2021.
Mayor Manny Baeza told The Big Bend Sentinel that the city will also open up the job to outside candidates. The city will accept job applicants for the city manager position until 3 p.m. Thursday, November 7. The job posting can be found on the city’s website and in this week’s paper.
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, resume or CV, and references via email addressed to mayor@cityofmarfa.com or via mail addressed to Mayor Manuel V Baeza, PO Box 787, Marfa, Texas 79843.
Baeza said the City Council will discuss the city manager position at their regular meeting, currently scheduled for November 12. The city secretary job will not be posted until a later date, pending the city manager decision.
Baeza said he is looking forward to continuing to work with Perez and is confident that she is up for the job transition. “I have faith that Kelly will keep us going in the right direction,” Baeza said. “Mrs. Roane has brought her up to date with the upcoming projects. Kelly has a very strong work ethic. She has taken on additional roles in the city and has excelled. The city is in a good position going forward.”
In addition to regular city secretary duties, Perez — prompted by council members — also oversaw a revamp of the city’s hotel occupancy tax collections and short-term rental permitting, resulting in consistent enforcement of both new and existing laws.
Perez said she is sad to see Roane, who she worked with closely for three years, go, but is “honored to be stepping up in her absence” and eager to show council members that she is capable of succeeding in the role.
“Filling her shoes is going to be a huge feat, but I’m willing to take on the challenge,” Perez said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to expand my governmental knowledge, grow with the city and serve the community; even if only for an interim amount of time.”