Familiarity a Factor as Artesia Picks Manager

The hiring of B. Eugene Romig this week as the new city manager had been in the works for months.

The only hitch might have been last week’s city election. But when Councilmen James Van Horn and Dennis Fellows were reelected, Romig’s promotion from assistant city manager was assured.

Although there was never really any doubt that Romig had support from a majority of the council, his selection was delayed until after the spring election. With the return to the council of Van Horn and Fellows--both strong backers of Romig--the vote to hire him was unanimous on Monday night.

$59,000 Salary and a Car

With salary and benefits, Romig, 45, will make about $59,000 a year and will have use of a city car. He officially begins work as city manager on May 1.

Romig will replace acting City Manager Harold Campbell, who has run Artesia for nearly two years. Widely liked around City Hall and among council members, Campbell, 63, did not want the job full time. He retired in 1981 as city manager of Huntington Park and could not hold the Artesia post much longer without jeopardizing his current retirement benefits.

Romig was hired a year ago, one of four professionals that the council hired part time on Campbell’s recommendation to overhaul city operations. Last fall he became a full-time employee in this city of 14,500.

“A city this size is a microcosm of a larger city. The advantage is I can get involved in everything,” said Romig, who worked as city clerk and assistant city manager in Whittier for 12 years before resigning in 1980 to start a consulting business. “In a city this size, you can deal directly with people and have an impact.”

Most council members agreed that it was important to select someone familiar with the city.

After the stormy departure of longtime City Manager Mayrant D. (Mac) McKeown two years ago, Van Horn said it was critical that a smooth transition take place between Campbell and his successor. “When McKeown left, this city was a mess,” Van Horn said. “We had financial problems and morale among city employees was at an all-time low.”

Campbell is credited with stabilizing city operations and, through a series of user fees, building a $1-million reserve. Van Horn said it is important to continue on the same course. “Why change directions when you’re on a roll,” the four-term councilman said.

No Plans to Revoke Fees

Councilman Robert Jamison has echoed Van Horn’s sentiments: “If we can’t have Campbell, Romig is the next best thing.”

Romig said there are no plans to revoke sewer, trash and street-lighting fees the city began charging residents two years ago to erase a budget deficit. For years, the city paid for those services. But when Campbell took over, he recommended, among other things, adopting the fees that save the city nearly $400,000 a year.

Although some council members--including Fellows during his reelection campaign--have talked about someday ending the fees, Romig said it would be unwise to do so now. In fiscal 1986-87, Romig expects the city will lose nearly $120,000 in federal revenue sharing money because of federal budget cuts. This year, that money helped pay a portion of the city’s $704,000 police and fire bills. The city’s total general fund budget is slightly less than $3 million.

“We’re not in trouble financially,” Romig said, “but we need to be prudent and take steps to protect ourselves.”

One step is the removal of a number of large shade trees spread throughout the 1.6-square-mile city. The vast root systems of some of those trees, upwards of a century old, have cracked sidewalks and streets, posing a safety risk. Because of the rising cost of liability insurance, Romig said, the city must take steps to minimize the potential for accidents caused by things like crumbling walkways and exposed tree roots. Romig said a couple of large liability judgments against a small city like Artesia could be financially ruinous.

In a small city, Romig said, the key to succeeding is quick response to concerns and complaints.

“The hallmark of my administration will be the satisfaction of the individual Artesian,” said Romig, who decided to return to work as a public servant because of the uncertainty of work--and pay--as a consultant. “I don’t want any resident to walk in here and get the City Hall bounce.”