Scott Vargo portraitOn July 12, the Golden City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution appointing Scott Vargo as the City of Golden’s new City Manager. Vargo is currently the County Manager for Summit County, CO. His expected start date with the City of Golden is September 12, 2022.

The City Manager serves as the chief executive of the municipal organization and reports directly to the elected City Council. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations and performance of the organization, including delivering a wide variety of city services to the community.

Vargo currently serves as County Manager for Summit County, CO, where he’s worked in county leadership since 1999. His career began in the human resources field working in health care, manufacturing, and the public sector. Over his 23 years with Summit County, Vargo has worked in human resources, facility development and planning, information technology, 911 communications, ambulance services, library, and health and human services oversight.

“We are so pleased that Scott Vargo will be joining the City of Golden as the next City Manager,” said Mayor of Golden Laura Weinberg. “Scott’s experience in emergency services, housing affordability, and strategic planning will serve the City of Golden well as we manage the opportunities and challenges of our great community into the future.”

Earlier this spring, the City of Golden conducted an online survey for community members and City staff to share feedback about what they seek in the City Manager role. The City of Golden’s City Manager job listing attracted 85 applicants, which the City narrowed to 20 highly qualified semifinalists. City Council selected four finalists who participated in selection activities, including on-site interviews in late June.

City Manager finalists met with Golden community members, businesses, and City of Golden staff at a variety of community events as they interviewed for the position.

“I want to especially thank the Golden community – from neighbors, to businesses, to City of Golden staff – whose engagement in the search for our next City Manager provided invaluable insight for City Council to make this important decision,” continued Mayor Weinberg.

Scott Vargo will replace Jason Slowinski, who left the City after seven years in the City Manager role to join Colorado School of Mines. Since Slowinski’s departure from the City of Golden, Carly Lorentz has served as the Interim City Manager and will continue to do so until Vargo’s first day as City Manager. The City of Golden enlisted the support of Baker Tilley to lead the search.

For background on the City of Golden’s City Manager search, please visit Guiding Golden.