By james art 
Jim Thompson will take the position of city manager in Loveland, Colorado
By Terence Thornton | Free digital press
Scottsdale manager Jim Thompson is leaving his position at the end of December.
Mr. Thompson holds a position as city manager for the city of Loveland, which is located in Colorado, according to an Oct. 30 letter to Scottsdale City Council members.
“This is a difficult message to write. After nearly eight years in one of the best positions of my career, I am officially announcing my retirement as Scottsdale City Manager at the end of December,” he said. “I took the job as city manager in Loveland, Colorado.”
Mr Thompson says the decision to resign was a difficult one.
“However, I’ve reached the point in my life and career where the personal side of things is tipping the scales a little more,” he said, pointing to his family ties to the Loveland community. “Two of my children were born in Loveland and we spent many years there and in other parts of Colorado, and for my family the time feels right to be back there.”
Mr. Thompson’s employment has come under close scrutiny of late after he opted to transition to a municipal retirement classification in August 2022, according to Digital Free Press archives.
Mr. Thompson’s salary is $347,000 under a municipal contract with Educational Services Inc.
“The hardest part of this decision is leaving this amazing city and the amazing people here in the city of Scottsdale. We’ve been through a lot since I started here in 2017, a lot of ups and a few downs, from COVID to Super Bowls and everything in between,” Mr. Thompson said in his resignation letter to City Council yesterday.
“Throughout, the constant has been the staff here at Scottsdale — all of you. I can’t thank you enough for your support and the dedication and passion you put into serving the community every day. It will be hard to leave such a great team and I will miss my daily interactions with the people in town who work so hard for the community.”
Mr. Thompson complimented the mayor and Scottsdale City Council, citing the elected body’s “passion and dedication” to making the greater community a better place.
“Further information on how things will proceed at the city manager level after my departure will be decided and shared accordingly,” Mr. Thompson said. “There is no doubt that this organization is in good hands and that you will continue to serve as excellently as you always have. Thank you for this and for these great years in Scottsdale.
