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Oro Valley council names Melanie Barrett vice mayor and approves town-attorney hiring process, both unanimous
Summary
At the Dec. 3 meeting the council unanimously elected Melanie Barrett vice mayor and approved a candidate-review process for hiring the town attorney that starts with council interviews and uses a limited staff panel for finalist summaries; both motions passed 7-0.
The Oro Valley Town Council on Dec. 3 unanimously elected Councilmember Melanie Barrett as vice mayor and approved a multi-step process for hiring the town attorney.
Mayor Winfield nominated Melanie Barrett for vice mayor; Councilmember Nicholson seconded the nomination and the council approved it by voice vote, 7-0.
Later in the meeting the council considered the hiring approach for the town attorney position. Town Manager Wilkins reviewed options (mirroring the magistrate-selection process or using a broader staff panel). Vice Mayor Barrett and other members said the council should lead interviews for initial rounds; a motion carried directing that:
- The council will interview candidates first to ensure an independent evaluation. - After council interviews finalize finalists, a staff interview panel (representatives from the town manager's office, human resources, legal department, town court, police department and Nathan Rothschild) will interview finalists and provide written summaries of strengths and weaknesses but will not rank or recommend candidates. - The council will then deliberate and identify its preferred candidate.
The motion, moved by Mayor Winfield and seconded by Councilmember Murphy, passed 7-0.
The action sets the process timeline for council-led screening followed by staff input; staff will prepare summaries for council consideration.
