Eugene Appoints Matt Rodrigues Interim City Manager, Council Continues Recruitment

The City of Eugene announced that Matt Rodrigues, currently one of the citys assistant city managers, will serve as interim city manager beginning in December as the City Council completes a recruitment process to identify a permanent successor to Sarah Medary. Medary is set to retire on December 12, and the interim appointment is intended to maintain continuity in municipal leadership during the transition.

Rodrigues brings to the interim role a long municipal resume that includes positions as a traffic engineer, city engineer and public works director. Those roles have given him experience with infrastructure planning, transportation systems and the operational management of city services. As assistant city manager he has been involved in citywide coordination and administration, which positions him to oversee municipal operations while the council completes its recruitment.

The city outlined a timeline for selecting a permanent city manager and described responsibilities that Rodrigues will assume during the interim. Those responsibilities aim to sustain day to day administration, keep ongoing capital projects and service delivery on schedule, and support staff and department heads through the recruitment period. For residents this means that permits, public works projects and routine city services should proceed without interruption as the council evaluates candidates for the permanent post.

For Lane County and the Eugene community the appointment has practical implications. City manager transitions can affect prioritization of transportation and infrastructure investments, housing and development reviews, and coordination with regional partners. Rodrigues background in traffic engineering and public works may provide institutional memory for capital projects and grant funded programs that require steady oversight during a leadership change.

The City Council will continue its work to recruit a permanent city manager while Rodrigues serves in the interim capacity. The council led process will determine the next long term executive to manage the cities strategic direction and daily operations. Community members following service delivery, budgeting and major projects will be watching the recruitment process and interim management closely.

Local residents and business leaders may expect routine communications from city hall about any changes in project timelines or service delivery during the transition. Maintaining steady operations through December and into the recruitment period will be a priority for city staff and for Rodrigues as interim manager.