North Las Vegas sets sights on new city manager

North Las Vegas has found a new city manager.

The city is negotiating a contract with Timothy R. Hacker, former city manager of Mesquite, for the position.

Mayor Shari Buck said Hacker's experience in Nevada will serve the city well.

"I am confident that Tim will work diligently to improve the city's financial position and increase the overall level of services citizens can expect from their city government," she said in a statement.

Hacker was fired without explanation in May from his last job by the Mesquite City Council, according to the Mesquite Local News. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Hacker holds a master's degree in public administration from Southern Illinois University and a bachelor's degree in community and regional planning from Iowa State University.

He will take the reins at a difficult time for North Las Vegas, which has undergone round after round of budget cuts and layoffs in recent years. The City Council last week approved more cuts including 21 layoffs and the closure of city recreation centers to fill a $4.4 million hole in its fiscal 2012 budget.

Maryann Ustick, North Las Vegas' acting city manager, has accepted a job as city manager in Destin, Fla. pending negotiation of a contract.

North Las Vegas's previous city manager, Gregory Rose, resigned in late 2009.

Hacker's salary is still being negotiated. Rose was paid $202,060 a year.

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at
lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.