Durham announces new city manager

Durham Mayor Bill Bell and City Council members announced Tuesday afternoon that Thomas J. Bonfield will be the next city manager.

Posted 9:01 p.m. Jun 3, 2008 — Updated 1:14 a.m. Jun 4, 2008

DURHAM, N.C. — Durham Mayor Bill Bell and City Council members officially announced Tuesday afternoon that Thomas Bonfield will be the next city manager.

Currently the city manager of Pensacola, Fla., where he has served for 10 years, Bonfield has 30 years of experience with local governments of increasing size and complexity.

Prior to his current position, he served as the city manager of Temple Terrace, Fla., for 13 years.

Bonfield has provided leadership to state and national professional associations and is an award-winning community leader who has extensive experience in a variety of urban settings, city officials said.

Bonfield said Tuesday he aims to uphold the position with honesty and integrity and to treat people with dignity and respect.

He also told a crowd outside the Council Chambers at Durham’s City Hall that he will maintain open communication and open relationships “whether it be better managing capital projects, whether it be making sure we have a budget that is fiscally responsible, but also capable of carrying out the requirements. “

“But also, I’ll be quite honest about it, I think we need to get on some neighborhood issues as well, and those aren’t going to be easy. We have dealt with them before,” Bonfield added.

City leaders hope Bonfield will start no later than Sept. 1. He is signing a five-year contract and has an annual base-salary of $178,000.

City manager Patrick Baker will step down this month to take over as Durham city attorney.

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