NOGALES, Ariz. (KVOA) – Turnover is increasing at Nogales City Hall. City Manager Roy Bermudez suddenly announced his resignation after just one year in the job.

News 4 Tucson obtained the resignation letter sent to the mayor and City Council on Tuesday.

In it, he gave no explanation as to why he suddenly decided to leave the city’s top job, but wrote in part:

“I am grateful for the experience and knowledge I have gained during my tenure. I will do everything possible to smoothly transition my responsibilities and complete all outstanding tasks before my departure.”

His resignation comes after years of resignations and firings within city government.

A month ago, the city fired its fire chief under mysterious circumstances, and in February, the city attorney was fired as well, keeping the reasons behind the decision confidential.

It was just last year that former City Manager Edward Dickey suddenly announced his resignation after just one year in office.

“There are a lot of mysteries left in Nogales right now,” said resident Patricia Vivanco. “Just seeing so many city employees resign or get fired, it’s just chaos.”

The mayor and city council are keeping quiet about the situation. News 4 Tucson requested interviews with all of them, but either did not hear back or were told they were unavailable.

In a message to News 4 Tucson Chief Investigative Reporter Corus Nylander, City Councilmember Lisa Montiel said she did not know anything beyond what was stated in her resignation letter and could not give an interview. Ta.

Councilor Saulo Bonilla agreed to an interview, but withdrew at the last minute citing medical reasons.

Nogales resident Rachel Sedgwick said she believes the overall culture within local government is being challenged.

“Nogales County and Santa Cruz County are experiencing a lot of growing pains right now,” she said.

She believes that as more people move to the area, new ideas are starting to conflict with what she calls the old ways.

“The culture is changing and it seems like old leadership is moving forward and being replaced by younger leaders with new ideas,” she explained.

She can only speculate about why Mr. Bermudez chose to leave, but with the mysterious politics going on in Nogales right now, and perhaps even bigger scandals within Santa Cruz County government, people are I feel like I need to be more involved in what’s going on in local politics.

“And now people are asking questions that we should have asked years ago, but we’re asking them now,” she said.

Bermudez will remain in his position until October 2nd.

It is not yet clear what specific steps the City Council will take to begin the search for a new manager, but it will likely be addressed at a future City Council meeting.

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