The city of Indio announced the appointment of Jonathan Nicks as assistant city manager. Following an extensive nationwide recruitment process, which attracted 119 applicants, Nicks emerged as the top candidate.
In his capacity as assistant city manager, Nicks will play a crucial role in supporting the city manager on various projects and programs, overseeing several city divisions and departments, and acting as a community liaison. Additionally, he will serve as the acting city manager in the city manager’s absence.
Nicks is a seasoned public servant with nearly 25 years of local government experience. Prior to his appointment, he served as the deputy city manager of Menifee, CA, where he held multiple positions, including interim public works director, community services director, human resources director, and project manager. He also managed the facility maintenance, solid waste, and environmental services functions.
“Jonathan brings to Indio an extraordinary wealth of relevant experience and is highly regarded as a principled, hard-working leader. His dedication to public service is unwavering, earning the trust of both employees and the community throughout his career. We are confident that his leadership and passion will make him a tremendous asset to Indio,” said City Manager Bryan Montgomery.
Prior to his service in Menifee, Nicks served as the deputy director for Orange County Parks and Community Services, where he managed a $120 million operating budget, a $30 million annual capital improvement program, and nearly 400 employees. Earlier in his career, Nicks was the community services and public works director for the City of Placentia. In this role, he played a key part in establishing the Placentia Community Foundation and became its first executive director, leading fundraising efforts for numerous community programs.
“It has been a privilege to serve in public service for over these many years,” said Nicks. “As the City of Indio’s assistant city manager, I look forward to serving with my colleagues and actively engaging with the community to ensure that Indio not only maintains its successful trajectory but also reaches new heights of growth.”
Nicks holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton, a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Long Beach, a Leadership Certification from Chapman University, and the Smart City Certification from Pepperdine University. He is a member of the National Parks & Recreation Association, American Public Works Association, California Parks & Recreation Society, the Municipal Management Association of Southern California, and the International City Management Association.
Nicks will assume his new position on September 9.
