Courtesy photo.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Deputy Manager and Chief Financial Officer Mike Townsend has accepted the position of Administrator of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) for the State of Arizona. The PSPRS Board of Trustees voted to appoint Townsend Monday morning.
Townsend, who has been with the County since 2000, will lead the agency that provides retirement benefits to Arizona’s first responders, corrections officers, judges and elected officials. During his 25 years of public service, Townsend spent time as the political subdivision representative on the Arizona State Retirement System Board.
“Mike has been a tremendous leader in Coconino County for the past 20 years,” said County Manager James Jayne. “Mike is well known throughout the County and the state as a financial prodigy. He began the innovative ten-year budget planning process that the County currently employs and helped the County get through challenging economic times. We know Mike will do an awesome job at PSPRS and while he will be missed at the County, we wish him and his family the best.”
During his time with the County, Townsend served as a Deputy County Manager, the Chief Finance Officer and Interim County Manager. He will replace interim PSPRS Administrator Bret Parke and start at PSPRS on Dec. 2.
“I want to thank everyone that has been a part of the Coconino County family over the past 20 years,” said Townsend. “I have been so fortunate to grow as a professional and build so many positive relationships. It has been a pleasure working with a County Board that were willing to see the larger financial picture and make fiscally responsible decisions. I look forward to the new challenge and I’m eager to start work with the Board of Trustees and staff to improve PSPRS for members, employers, local boards and taxpayers.”
Townsend’s departure leaves two positions open at the County. The Chief Financial Officer and Deputy County Manager positions will be open for recruitment within the coming month.