Tacoma City Council members approved a contract extension for City Manager James Walton through June 30, 2005. The contract extension will retain Walton’s services at his current pay rate.

The contract extension will allow for a transition period from Walton’s tenure to a new City Manager. Tacoma launched its search for a new City Manager on Jan. 25 and the City will accept applications for the position through Feb. 25. The City plans to wrap up the selection and hiring process for a new City Manager in May.
The extension will also give Walton additional time to work on the City’s Breakthrough Change initiatives, which aim to identify up to $5 million in permanent, sustainable cost reductions in the City’s General Fund expenditures for 2005-2006.

Walton was appointed as Tacoma’s City Manager on July 15, 2003. His contract was scheduled to expire on March 31, 2005.