County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry is set to resign from his post after a 28-year tenure.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors will vote on the “acceptance of the resignation of Chuck Huckelberry, county administrator, effective immediately,” according to the addendum for its April 5 meeting.
Huckelberry suffered a brain bleed, a punctured lung and broken ribs when he was struck by a car while riding his bike downtown on Oct. 23.
According to the addendum, the board will vote on appointing Jan Lesher as county administrator. Lesher has served as deputy county administrator since 2017 and has taken over Huckelberry’s role since Dec. 7.
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Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry
Ted Schmidt, an attorney representing Huckelberry and his wife Maureen, released a statement on their behalf on Friday.
“By the grace of God, love and support of family and friends and Chuck’s strength of character and determination he has made remarkable progress in his rehabilitation. There is nothing Chuck wishes more than that he be able to return to his desk at the county and resume his position as county administrator,” the statement said.
“However, Chuck and the family fully appreciate that with months of additional therapy ahead, he is unable to do the position justice at this time and out of respect for what is in the best interest of the county, which he has served so effectively and faithfully for over 40 years, it is time for him to officially resign his post. This will allow the county to continue moving forward no longer clouded by concern for his health and potential return.
“Finally, Chuck says, ‘Pima County has a bright future with many opportunities and, after I have recovered, I will be available to assist the county in achieving those opportunities.’”
Huckelberry has been the county administrator for 28 years, a role in which he managed a $2.1 billion budget, which includes federal COVID-19 relief funds as well as local taxpayer money, and a staff of more than 7,300 employees. His base salary is $292,000 a year.
Huckelberry’s legacy involves key county projects such as The Chuck Huckelberry Loop and the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
“From north to south, east to west, he knew every bit of the 10,000-square-mile county we live in,” said Ray Carroll, who worked with Huckelberry as supervisor for District 4 from 1997 to 2017. “He also had an institutional memory that was incredible to be a part of and to listen to him recollect a budget figure or a roadside issue anywhere in the county at any time. He was a walking encyclopedic benefit to the county from that perspective, and I’m sure he’ll continue to keep a keen interest in the county government.”
Supervisor Rex Scott, who also serves as the board’s representative to the County Supervisors Association of Arizona, said Huckelberry has been “extraordinarily gracious” throughout Scott’s first term in his position.
“The level of respect for Chuck throughout this state, not just among the supervisors, but among the staff in the other 14 counties is extraordinary,” Scott said. “He’s well known in state government as well. I honestly think that he has been one of the most impactful people in the in the history of Southern Arizona.”
Scott said he supports Lesher taking over as the county’s top administrator.
“One of the best indicators of how strong a leader is is the quality of the team that they assemble around them. Chuck has put together an exceptional team of talented and dedicated professionals,” he said. “Jan is the leader of that team, and I am more than comfortable moving to appoint her as the administrator on Tuesday. ... I see no reason for us to conduct any kind of search for anybody else at this time.”
Supervisor Steve Christy, however, said some sort of search for Huckelberry’s replacement is necessary.
“I would like to see an application and search process for Mr. Huckelberry’s full-time replacement starting at the county employee level that would open up that position and accept applications from county employees who would be interested in the job,” he said.
Christy specified Lesher could be the replacement, but said “She she should go through the application and interview process just like any other applicant.”
Chuck Huckelberry's attorney Ted Schmidt said the county administrator "is unable to do the position justice at this time."
Photos: Pima County Adminstrator Chuck Huckelberry
Chuck Huckelberry, Tucson

Pima County administrator, Chuck Huckelberry, center, talks with Gail Smith and Leonard Cohen before the ground breaking ceremony for the new Pima Animal Care Center at 4000 N. Silverbell Road. Voters approved bond funding for the new building in 2014 through Proposition 415.
Chuck Huckelberry, Tucson

Chuck Huckelberry, director of the PIma County Department of Transportation in 1985.
Chuck Huckelberry, Tucson

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry speaks during a hybrid groundbreaking ceremony for the start of Tucson Airport Authority's (TAA) Airfield Safety Enhancement (ASE) Program on the north side of Tucson International Airport in Tucson, Ariz., on October 15, 2020. This is the largest project done in the 72 years of Tucson Airport Authority's history, said Danette Bewley, TAA president and CEO.
Chuck Huckelberry, Tucson

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, left, presents Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, right, with the "Captain Major Obvious" award during a surprise retirement celebration and roast for Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik at the Westin La Paloma Resort, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive. Local government and media personalities gave the retiring Dupnik a playful ribbing to celebrate his 35 years as Sheriff of Pima County.
Chuck Huckelberry, Tucson

Pima County officials and dignitaries, led by Pima County Supervisor Ally Miller, second from left, county administrator Chuck Huckelberry, and supervisor Sharon Bronson and Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Depatment director Jackson Jenkins, cut the ribbon during a celebration ceremony for completion of the Tres Rios Water Reclamation Facility, 7101 N. Casa Grande Highway, on Wednesday, April 9, 2014.
Chuck Huckelberry, Tucson

Chuck Huckelberry, left, and Donald Diamond gently spar during a Q & A at the Pima County Real Estate Research Council meeting, Thursday, May 15, 2014.
Chuck Huckelberry, Tucson

John Green, middle, is flanked by Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry and County Supervisor Sharon Bronson as they lead the way to the monument at the dedication of Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Park in Tucson on April 2, 2017. The Green family, Pima County officials, donors and friends celebrated the opening of the park at North Shannon and West Magee Roads. Green was the youngest person killed in the January 8, 2011 shooting that wounded Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Chuck Huckelberry

County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry in his 10th floor office in the County Building at 130 W. Congress in Tucson, AZ, Jan. 2, 2014.
Chuck Huckelberry

Yearbook picture of Chuck Huckelberry in 1967 from "The Spur," Flowing Wells High School yearbook.
Chuck Huckelberry

Pima County administrator Chuck Huckelberry in 1994.
Chuck Huckelberry

County administrator Chuck Huckelberry walks along a River Road widening project that was approved in 1997. Photo taken Nov. 19, 1998.
Chuck Huckelberry

Chuck Huckelberry, the County Administrator, has become more of an environmentalist as of late. Photo taken on 11/19/98.
Chuck Huckelberry

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt talks about the proposed Ironwood National Monument with County administrator Chuck Huckelberry, middle right, Gail Kobetich,special assistant to Babbitt, right, and John Wiens, Arizona Desert Museum Nursery Horticulturist, March 21, 2000.
Chuck Huckelberry

Pima County administrator Chuck Huckelberry. Tucson Citizen file photo
Chuck Huckelberry

Pima County administrator Chuck Huckelberry sits in the desert area near Camino de Oeste and Speedway outside Tucson, Ariz., on Friday, June 29, 2001. He has made an effort to create a buffer zone of sorts as part of a Sonoran desert conservation plan.
Chuck Huckelberry

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry takes a caller's question on the John C. Scott show, (on KTKT AM 990) with Pima County Board of Supervisor Chair Sharon Bronson in the background, Wed. , May 8, 2002.
Chuck Huckelberry

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry often gestures with his hands while speaking. Here, he gestures during a meeting Wed. , May 8, 2002.
Chuck Huckelberry

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry meets with Bruce Basemann with the Pima County Finance Dept, Wed. , May 8, 2002.
Chuck Huckelberry

A rare quiet moment in the office of Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, Wed. , May 8, 2002.
Chuck Huckelberry

Chuck Huckelberry, hangs a bird feeder in the back yard of home July 3, 2003.
Chuck Huckelberry

Chuck Huckelberry reads a history of Mt. Lemmon called "Look to the Mountains"at his home July 3, 2003. Reading is one of his favorite pastimes, and historical works are his genre of choice.
Chuck Huckelberry

Chuck Huckelberry, photgraphed in the study at his home July 3, 2003. The figure in the background is an ironwood sculpture, in keeping with much of the dark woods and western theme in his home.
Chuck Huckelberry

Chuck Huckelberry, photgraphed through the prickely pear cactus at his home July 3, 2003.
Chuck Huckelberry

Chuck Huckelberry, watering the cactus at his home July 3, 2003.
Chuck Huckelberry

Chuck Huckelberry - roundtable. Feb. 24, 2005
Chuck Huckelberry

Chuck Huckelberry, speaking during a debating on the Sonoran Desert Conservation plan on stage Thursday March 2, 2006 in Tucson, Arizona at the Doubletree hotel in front of a large audience of realtors who attended.
Chuck Huckelberry

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, right, and Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild speak during a panel discussion to discuss the future of the Tucson economy during a Rotary Club of Tucson meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tucson, Ariz.
Chuck Huckelberry

Chuck Huckelberry, County Administrator, on the left, is listen to concerned citizens express how bad the roads and potholes situation is during a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday March 20, 2012, in Tucson, Arizona.
Chuck Huckelberry

County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry in his 10th floor office in the County Building at 130 W. Congress in Tucson, AZ, Jan. 2, 2014.
Chuck Huckelberry

County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, center, talks with John Bryant, left, at Kino Sports Complex, about Bryant's interest in bringing an independent baseball league team to Tucson, AZ, Jan. 3, 2014. Chief Deputy County Administrator Hank Atha is at right and Events coordinator for Kino is second from left.
Chuck Huckelberry

County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, left, talks with John Bryant, right, at Kino Sports Complex, about Bryant's interest in bringing an independent baseball league team to Tucson, AZ, Jan. 3, 2014.
Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com