July 26, 2023 |
Photo – City Manager Tom Sarvey – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The city of Rawlins has officially hired Tom Sarvey as the new city manager after nine months on the job fulfilling those duties.
The city’s previous city manager, Sean Metcalf, resigned last October. Sarvey, who had been working as the city’s Finance Director, was picked to serve as Metcalf’s temporary replacement. Sarvey acted as interim city manager while performing the duties of finance director.
Last Friday, the city of Rawlins officially announced that Sarvey was hired as City Manager. Sarvey said he wasn’t necessarily expecting to be chosen for the position.
Sarvey said a city manager supports the different departments in a way that helps them carry out their jobs.
Sarvey was born and raised in Wyoming. He said he was living in Buffalo when he became aware of the open finance director position in Rawlins. Sarvey said he was drawn by the prospect of working for the city.
Sarvey said the city’s assets were not being properly recorded when he took over as finance director in May of 2022. He said he and his staff worked hard to get the city’s finances back in order.
The city manager said having an accurate budget provides the city with a clearer picture of where money is coming from and going to. Sarvey said as the city’s financial director, he was able to balance the most recent budget.
Bigfoot99 asked Sarvey what his future goals for the city are. Sarvey said he has several projects he wants to focus on. First up, said the city manager, is to work on the water transmission lines that bring fresh water from the Sage Creek Springs into the city. Sarvey said the water pipes are failing and need to be replaced. He said he is looking into funding opportunities to help pay for the project.
Sarvey also said he will work to outline the goals, strategies, and financial projections for the city in a business plan. He said he wants to ensure that the city continues to offer top notch services for residents.
Sarvey said his background in finance will help him in his new position as city manager because everything comes down to money.
Rawlins Public Information Officer Mira Miller explained why the city chose Sarvey as its newest city manager. Miller said Sarvey straightened out the city’s resources and helped everyone understand what he was doing.
Sarvey said the city has a talented team of people working together to maintain and improve the city’s infrastructure and finances. He said he is optimistic that things will work out in the city’s favor.
With Sarvey now the full-time city manager, Rawlins officials must find a replacement finance director. Sarvey said advertisements for the position should begin later this week. The new Rawlins city manager said he hopes a suitable candidate is chosen within a month or two.
