Worcester moves to make Eric Batista permanent city manager
Photo | Courtesy City of Worcester
Worcester City Manager Eric Batista
The Worcester City Council on Tuesday voted 6-5 to kill a proposed nationwide search for the city government’s next city manager, paving the way for Acting City Manager Eric Batista to take over the powerful role on a permanent basis.
“It has been nothing short of a privilege to serve the public as acting city manager since my appointment in June. I found my purpose in municipal government ten years ago working on youth violence prevention and urban innovation in the second largest city in New England and a home in the City Manager’s Office. When the time comes and at the will of the City Council, I look forward to leading the City’s administration prioritizing the needs and interests of our residents, property owners and businesses with a focus on equity and inclusion while balancing a fiscally responsible budget," said Batista in a statement via email on Wednesday.
The City Council voted 10-1 in May to approve the request for proposals from firms to conduct a search for city manager candidates. Only one firm, GovHR USA of Illinois, responded to that RFP by the time the bid closed. Tuesday’s vote ended the search.
Batista was appointed to be acting city manager in April after former City Manager Edward Augustus announced in March he would step down from his position at the end of May. The City of Worcester uses a council-manager, or Plan E, form of government, where the city manager is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the city and answers to the city council, which is elected. The mayor is a part-time position and part of the city council.
Batista, who would be the city’s first nonwhite permanent city manager, is also serving as the city’s interim chief diversity officer following the resignation of Stephanie Williams in March.
Since Augustus announced his resignation, the City Council has been divided on whether to conduct a search for a city manager and seek community input at all, or simply appoint Batista directly into the role. Mayor Joe Petty, in particular, indicated in September he would prefer the city skip the search and appoint Batista. In response, Batista said he respected the search process.
”I’ve received many inquiries about my appointment and want to clarify that while I appreciate the confidence that the Mayor and many others have expressed in my leadership, I respect the search process and am in no way trying to evade it,” Batista tweeted on Sept. 22.
Batista, who is a member of WBJ’s 40 Under Forty Class of 2019, has worked for the city government for 10 years, beginning as a project manager. He was appointed assistant city manager in October 2021 to serve alongside Assistant City Manager Nicole Valentine. In May, Batista agreed to a contract for the acting city manager role, which paid him $225,000 in annual salary.
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So much for an independent, nationwide search. Ah, Wihstah ...
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