Holmes out— resigns as Aurora City Manager

Interim City Manager Howlett to fill in until new manager is hired

Jon Holmes has stepped down as city manager of Aurora, according to a press release from the city dated Wednesday, Nov. 27.
“The City Council and Mr. Holmes have mutually agreed to part ways, effective the evening of November 26, 2024,” the announcement stated.
In response to a media inquiry, Mayor Jason Lewis declined to give any details regarding the reasons for Holmes’ departure.
“I can’t get into a lot of detail at this time,” he said. “We wish him well on his presumptive job search. While change can always bring certain challenges, we are really excited to embrace this new dynamic.”
Holmes’ duties will be taken over by Interim City Manager Carrie Howlett
The press release also stated that Asst. City Manager Carrie Howlett had taken over Holmes’s duties while the city searches for his replacement.
“Carrie Howlett, who has been serving as Assistant City Manager, will assume the role of Interim City Manager,” the press release stated. “Mayor Jason Lewis added, ‘Carrie has already taken on many of the leadership responsibilities in recent months that, combined with her experience and dedication to the City, make her well-positioned to provide continuity and stability during this transition time.’”
Lewis said that he expected the process of hiring a new city manager could take quite some time.
“I anticipate that the entire process will take several months,” he said. “Our priority is to find the right person who not only has the necessary qualifications but maybe more importantly fits seamlessly into our team and our community. We have a dedicated council that works exceptionally well together, that combined with our passionate and knowledgeable staff, puts us in the driver’s seat and gives us the luxury of time. That unity gives us the ability to make the best decision for the team as a whole, without feeling pressured to fill a void. We’ve encouraged succession planning in the past to prepare for any leadership vacancies, and we’re fortunate to have the team we do.”

Howlett confident she can fill role
Howlett stated that she was confident that she could effectively handle the responsibilities of city manager until a new person was hired for the role.
“In 2022, the City of Aurora City Council created the position of Assistant City Manager to ensure continuity and forward progress in the event of a future vacancy in the City Manager position,” she said. “At that time, I was appointed to this role while continuing as Community Development Director. Since then, I have worked closely with Jon and the Management Team, which includes the Department Heads of each City department, on projects affecting the city as a whole. Together, we have collaborated to bring ideas and recommendations based on our individual areas of expertise and collective experience.”
Howlett also said that there would be no disruption to the services that the city provides to residents,” she said. “Over the past few years, the city has made significant strides in planning capital projects, upgrading equipment and operational tools, and initiating long-term planning initiatives. As a result, Aurora is well positioned to continue the services and growth that our community has come to know and thrive on. I am honored and prepared to step into the role of Interim City Manager and look forward to working through this transition period as the Council selects a permanent replacement. I am passionate about this community and am committed to contributing everything I can to ensure we continue making the best decisions possible for all who live, work, and play in Aurora.”
Holmes served as Aurora’s City Manager for over seven years; his start date on the job was Sept. 1, 2017.
Holmes also recently earned recognition as a Certified Municipal Official from Municipal Governance Institute, according to a press release from the City dated Sept. 23. As of press time, he had not responded to a request for comment.