Indio names assistant city manager as next city manager

The Indio City Council voted unanimously Wednesday in closed session to offer the city’s top administrative post to Jonathan Nicks, who will become the next city manager upon the retirement of current City Manager Bryan Montgomery.

City Attorney Steven Graham reported the action following a closed session.

Nicks has served as Indio’s assistant city manager since September 2024, a role he was selected for after a nationwide recruitment process that drew 119 applicants, with eight finalists ultimately considered for the position.

Before joining Indio, Nicks served as deputy city manager of Menifee, where he held multiple roles including interim public works director, community services director, and human resources director. He also served as 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, and he served as the deputy director for Orange County Parks and Community Services.

Nicks brings nearly 25 years of local government experience to the city manager role. When he was appointed assistant city manager in 2024, Montgomery himself praised his qualifications.

“Jonathan brings to Indio an extraordinary wealth of relevant experience and is highly regarded as a principled, hard-working leader,” Montgomery said at the time. “His dedication to public service is unwavering, earning the trust of both employees and the community throughout his career.”

Nicks holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton, a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Long Beach.

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