Henderson city manager announces retirement for health reasons

Henderson City Manager Robert “Bob” Murnane announced his retirement Monday, saying he needs to focus on his health after a serious illness.

Richard Derrick, assistant city manager and chief financial officer, has been named acting city manager.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that I have been given to serve as city manager, and it has been an honor to work for the mayor and council in this important leadership role and deeply gratifying to have been a part of many important achievements that have strengthened our community and made life better for Henderson residents,” Murnane said in a news release.

Murnane, 54, became city manager in August 2015 after serving as senior director for the city’s public works, parks and recreation department. He joined the city in 1996.

His retirement is effective Feb. 15, although Monday was his last day performing city manager duties.

Murnane worked to improve the city’s bond ratings, oversaw the expansion of the city — including the recent opening of Fire Station 91 — and hired new police Chief LaTesha Watson as well as other key positions with the Henderson police and fire departments, the city said.

“Bob Murnane has done an outstanding job as city manager and we are all sad to see our friend and colleague leave, but we understand the need for him to focus on his health at this critical time,” Mayor Debra March said in a statement. “My colleagues on the City Council join me in expressing our gratitude to Bob and wish him only the best in the future.”

Murnane also initiated negotiations for the proposed sale of 55 acres to the Raiders football organization for the creation of a corporate headquarters and practice facility in Henderson. Once the sale is finalized, it is expected to create hundreds of new jobs and lead to the investment of $75 million in the property, it said.

Murnane also served as a member of the Executive Advisory Committee of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and on the Technical Advisory Committee of the Regional Flood Control District.

A 1987 civil engineering graduate of the Oregon Institute of Technology, Murnane worked in the private sector for various Southern Nevada engineering firms until 1990, when he went to work for the city of North Las Vegas prior to taking the job with Henderson.

Contact Sandy Lopez at slopez@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4686. Follow @JournalismSandy on Twitter.