Pinal Today

Benjamin Navarro, a member of the Coolidge City Council, confirmed that he is stepping down to take a new position as the city’s public works director. 

Navarro signed off by praising his fellow council members. 

“I’d just like to go through and thank everybody here,” Navarro, said according to Pinal Central. “I know it sounds like we’re breaking up, and we kind of are. I wanted to formally announce I am going to be stepping down as a City Council member. I am going to be taking a new position with the city of Coolidge and in doing that, I cannot be my own boss.”

Navarro spoke highly of his time on the City Council.

“It’s been a great experience being on council — I’ve learned way more than I ever thought I would, especially when I was just a guy driving in the backyard talking about trash — trash and coyotes,” he said.

City officials feel that Navarro is qualified for his new job.

“Of the applicants, he was my choice — and it’s a tough one for me, because he is such an excellent councilmember and valuable in his position on the council — you ask a lot of good questions; you hold us accountable; and I am sure you will hold your boys accountable for making Coolidge the best it can be from a Public Works standpoint,”  City Manager Rick Miller said. 

Navarro’s local roots are an asset for the position.

“I feel very confident in his abilities and his concern for the city of Coolidge,” Miller said, according to Pinal Central. “He’s a resident here — one of the requirements is that we want somebody that actually lives here and will be dedicated to the community 24 hours a day.”

Mayor Jon Thompson said he would miss Navarro. 

“I thank Councilman Navarro for his time up here on the bench with us,” Thompson said. “He did a good job, and we’re going to miss him.”