Pima RTA set to ink $356K contract with new exec director Ortega

The Regional Transportation Authority Board is set to vote next week on a contract for new Executive Director Michael Ortega.

Ortega, who served as Tucson city manager for eight and a half years until he stepped down in January 2024, took the reins of the RTA in June, after the board voted 5-4 to fire the previous director, Farhad Moghimi. (Moghimi filed a $3.8 million claim against the board for wrongful termination last week.)

Under the new contract, Ortega would be paid $29,667 a month, or
$356,000 annually, through December 31, 2026. The contract would
automatically renew annually unless either Ortega or the RTA board gives
90-day notice that they do not want to continue it.

“I think his skills and talents have been demonstrated very well already and I think the community would be well served to have him in this role, for as along as he’d like to have the role,” said Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz, one of nine RTA board members. “We wouldn’t even have something going to the ballot in March to continue the RTA with the RTA Next plan without his leadership.”

The RTA Board includes representatives of various local governments, including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz, Oro
Valley Mayor Joe Winfield, Marana Mayor Jon Post, Sahuarita Mayor Tom
Murphy, South Tucson Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela, Pascua Yaqui Tribal
Chairman Julian Hernandez, Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose
and State Transportation Board member Ted Maxwell.

The RTA Board, which is identical to the nonprofit Pima Association of Governments Board, oversees the RTA’s work in Pima County.

Under the proposed contract, Ortega’s status would change from temporary full-time employee to regular full-time employee.

The RTA’s employee handbook notes that employees in their second year of service are eligible for 10 paid holidays and two personal days as well  as 17 days of personal time off and five days of sick time. Staffers also participate in the Arizona State Retirement System pension plan, and are covered by a group health insurance plan.

Ortega will also receive a laptop computer, phone and parking space at the RTA’s Downtown headquarters, if the board OKs the contract.

The RTA Board is scheduled to vote on the new contract on Thursday, Dec. 4.

The vote to hire Ortega earlier this year was 7-0, with the tribal leaders not voting.

The RTA funds transportation funding generated by a half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2006.

The RTA has developed a $2.67 billion extension of the plan funded with the same half-cent sales tax. Voters will decide whether to move forward with the RTA Next proposal in March of next year.