Arlington’s Mayor and City Council will consider the appointment of a new city manager at their meeting on Tuesday, April 26.

They will consider a contract hiring James Holgersson (see photo), deputy city manager from San José, California. Holgersson was selected following a national search and has served in municipal management for nearly 30 years.

He has worked in San Jose for five years. Prior to this, Holgersson was executive director of the Rapoport Foundation in Waco and was city manager in Waco for five years. He has also served as the city manager in Kalamazoo, MI and city administrator in Germantown, TN.

While in San Jose, Holgersson has worked in areas that represent current priorities and challenges for the city of Arlington. He has led the City’s "Strong Neighborhood" effort, and he has experience with budget challenges associated with declining revenues.

"I am very excited about coming back to Texas," Holgersson said. "The combination of Arlington’s quality of life, rich diversity, and many challenges make this a tremendously exciting opportunity."

Mayor Robert Cluck said that Holgersson’s extensive experience made him an outstanding candidate for the position.

"Jim has experience handling many of the issues our city is facing," Cluck said. "The community will benefit from his knowledge and perspective."

Holgersson has a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Illinois and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas. He is an active member of the International City/County Management Association.

If the City Council approves his contract, Holgersson is expected to assume the City Manager post on June 10 with an annual salary of $190,000. He will become Arlington’s tenth City Manager.