PRESS RELEASES - JULY 2007

July 25, 2007

Arlington Deputy City Manager Departs for Polk County, Iowa

This week, Ron Olson was selected as the new County Administrator for Polk County in Des Moines, Iowa. His departure from the City of Arlington will be Friday, Aug. 3.

Olson joined the City of Arlington in October 2004. He serves as the Deputy City Manager for Support Services, which provides operating departments with the tools and support necessary to ensure quality customer service to the community. He provided executive leadership of the Support Service Team, which includes the following departments: Management Resources, Financial Services, Workforce Services, Information Technology and Municipal Court.

Olson has more than 30 years of municipal government experience. Prior to coming to Arlington, he was the City Manager of Middletown, Ohio. He has also been the City Manager of Belding, Michigan and West Jordan, Utah. Olson earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Brigham Young University.

“Being in Arlington has been very professionally rewarding, and I have enjoyed working with staff and City Council,” Olson said Wednesday. “The role of County Administrator better fulfills my career goals, and it allows me to continue to progress.”

Polk County has a population of 400,000 residents. There are 1,200 county employees, and their annual operating budget is approximately $290 million. Olson’s first day on the job will be after Labor Day.

Arlington City Manager Jim Holgersson said Olson has been a great asset to the organization.
“Ron has worked very effectively in an environment that has had three different city managers during his tenure,” Holgersson said. “He is strategic in his approach, has been committed to this city and above all, has been professional and respectful in his responses to issues. Polk County will benefit from his leadership.”

The City of Arlington is planning a national search for a new deputy city manager.