WARDEN — The Warden City Council has appointed Joseph Elizalde as the city’s assistant city administrator, positioning the longtime Warden School District employee to take over as city administrator when Kriss Shuler retires this fall. 

Elizalde was appointed to the role during a July 28 council meeting and is scheduled to begin Aug. 3. He will serve as assistant city administrator through Oct. 31 while training under Shuler, who is retiring after more than three decades with the city. Elizalde is expected to assume the city administrator position Nov. 1. 

During his swearing-in ceremony, Elizalde’s parents were in attendance, taking photos as he officially entered his new role. 

Elizalde, a Warden local, said he was motivated to apply by a desire to serve the community where he was raised. 

“I think the community, being able to serve the residents, that's always been the main focus,” Elizalde said in an interview with the Columbia Basin Herald. “Born and raised here, and I think it's an exciting opportunity to serve our people.” 

After graduating from Warden, Elizalde attended college and later returned to the area. For the past 10 years, he has worked for the Warden School District, most recently as director of maintenance and facilities. 

He described the transition from education to city government as an opportunity to broaden his service to the community. 

“I've always been on a service level to students and staff,” Elizalde said. “Now it's a bigger, broader audience and residents, so I'm excited for that.” 

As city administrator, Elizalde said he hopes to serve as a link between residents, city staff and elected officials. 

“I think it's a communication piece and bridge for all of our administration, to really take in the people's concerns, inputs, things like that, and run an administration that can communicate successfully to its community,” he said. 

Mayor Rosaelia Martinez said the city is entering a period of transition, with several leadership changes taking place in recent months, including a new police chief, new animal control and code enforcement personnel and a first-term mayor. 

While sad to see Shuler retire, Martinez said she is optimistic about the city's future. 

“I'm so happy for her because she has a lot of plans and traveling with her grandkids,” Martinez said of Shuler. “She's leaving a lot of wisdom behind.” 

Martinez said city staff are committed to helping Elizalde succeed as he takes on his new responsibilities. 

“He's young, he's smart, he's computer savvy. He's got a great personality,” Martinez said. “We will make sure that he succeeds because that's what we expect of him.” 

Shuler said Elizalde emerged as the strongest candidate during the hiring process because of his experience managing large public-sector projects and budgets. 

“Joseph was the best candidate from his work experience, his supervisory experience,” Shuler said. “He's worked in public employment with the school district for more than nine years, well versed in capital project oversight, safety program management, grant writing and grant management, budget management. He's just well-rounded in what we were looking for.” 

Over the next three months, Shuler said Elizalde will receive hands-on training covering city operations, including utility systems, development projects and budgeting. 

“He will be learning as we go,” Shuler said. “We're going to make sure he understands our water system, our sewer system, some of our development that's going on right now, some of our construction projects that we have going on currently.” 

The transition will also coincide with budget season, allowing Elizalde to gain experience with one of the city's most significant annual responsibilities before taking over the top administrative position. 

Shuler, who has served the city for 36 years and will mark that milestone Sept. 1, said she plans to spend more time with family after retirement. 

“I have no specific plans,” she said. “I live here local, and I will be here, and we'll enjoy more time with my family and grandchildren.” 

For Elizalde, the opportunity represents a chance to give back to the community that helped shape him. 

“It's an exciting opportunity to serve our people,” he said.