ROCKFORD, Mich. -- The Rockford City Council appointed an interim city manager Monday evening to serve while they search for a new full-time administrator to take the role Michael Young left behind.
Chief of Public Safety David Jones was unanimously appointed by the council to temporarily fill in as the city's top administrator. He takes over after the previous city manager, Michael Young,died the previous month after suffering a stroke.
"We're going to get up tomorrow and move forward," Jones said. "We're going to carry Michael's legacy with us, and we're going to meet with the staff and we're going to do everything Michael would have us do."
The council began the meeting with a video tribute dedicated to Young's life and work. Young, 48 when he died, had dedicated 20 years to the city of Rockford.
Along with Jones' appointment, Rockford city clerk Chris Bedford was appointed interim deputy manager in the same vote.
Jones has 42 years of law enforcement at the city and county level on his resume, and has been with Rockford since 2003. He oversaw all police and fire services, which includes 25 employees and 15 volunteers. He administers a $1.5 million budget; which takes up about 40 percent of the city's operating budget.
