Boulder City has ushered in a new era of municipal leadership as Ned Thomas steps into office today as the new City Manager, a decision made following a comprehensive national search. Thomas, who fetches over three decades of public service experience, was previously the City Manager in Milpitas, CA. According to a statement acquired by Boulder City's official announcement, his tenure there lasted until the week prior to his new appointment.
"I have been waiting and watching for the right opportunity to become available in Southern Nevada, and I was thrilled to hear about the City Manager position in Boulder City," Thomas conveyed. A search firm, WBCP, Inc., aided in the pursuit of finding the right candidate, culminating in Thomas's selection from a pool of over 100 applicants. The City Council saw fit to offer him the position in November 2024, after they had interviewed two candidates towards the end of last year. Boulder City Mayor Joe Hardy expressed his confidence in Thomas, citing, "His knowledge of the region will benefit the residents of Boulder City greatly. I look forward to working with him," a statement obtained from Boulder City's official announcement.
Thomas is no stranger to Southern Nevada, having commuted from his family home in Henderson for years. His dedication to public service is pronounced, a characteristic that Mayor Hardy emphasized by detailing Thomas's understanding of the importance of partnerships and robust leadership abilities. "These services enhance quality of life, as well as ensure safety and comfort, effectively and efficiently," Mr. Thomas said, speaking on the crucial functions of local government, like police and fire protection or managing utilities and recreational spaces, as per Boulder City.
One of the prerequisites of his new role, according to the City Charter, Thomas must make Boulder City his residence within a year. True to his enthusiasm, Thomas disclosed a personal commitment to engaging with Boulder City's diverse voices. "Making personal connections is vitally important to my success as a City Manager, and I want to hear a variety of perspectives from Boulder City residents, business owners, employees, and community leaders," he confirmed, with plans to meet city staff as well as local business and organization members to listen to their concerns and insights.
Cherlynn Thomas, the city manager's wife, has been imparting knowledge as a long-term substitute teacher in the Clark County School District. Their family life is burgeoned by their children's achievements, with the youngest set to graduate from high school soon and the others pursuing their educational and career endeavors. There's also Willow, the Welsh Corgi rounding out the family. Finally, Michael Mays, who has been filling in as Acting City Manager since May 2024, was credited by Mayor Hardy for his "hard work" and "dedication and commitment to the residents of Boulder City" during the interim period that paved the way for Thomas's arrival, as reported by the Boulder City.
