Local Feature: Sierra Vista City Manager Chuck Potucek

By Mia Trevino/SVL March 15, 2025

For nearly four decades, Chuck Potucek has been a fixture in Sierra Vista’s local government, guiding the city through economic fluctuations, military realignments, and significant infrastructure developments. During an interview, Potucek reflected on his tenure and the challenges and triumphs that have shaped Sierra Vista into the resilient community it is today.

“When we arrived, my wife and I never imagined we’d stay this long,” Potucek admitted. “But something always seemed to keep us here—whether it was a promotion, a new project, or a turn in the local economy.”

Potucek’s journey in public service began in the Public Works department before he transitioned into a city budget officer role. His expertise in financial planning quickly set him apart, and when the position of interim city manager opened, he was tapped to fill in. His ability to manage city finances effectively convinced the City Council to end their search and make his position permanent in 1996.

At the time, Sierra Vista was grappling with rapid population growth and evolving military needs at Fort Huachuca. One of his first major projects was overseeing the construction of the city’s police station without overburdening the general budget.

Throughout his tenure, Potucek remained focused on maintaining a stable financial outlook, particularly during the challenging times. The 2008 housing market crash and the COVID-19 pandemic tested his leadership. During the recession, he implemented hiring freezes, delayed projects, and strategically allocated resources to avoid layoffs. When the pandemic struck, he initially anticipated a 20% revenue loss, but thanks to careful planning and federal relief, Sierra Vista weathered the economic downturn better than many other Arizona communities.

“It really didn’t hurt us as bad as I originally thought,” he said of the pandemic’s impact. By avoiding prolonged shutdowns and maintaining financial flexibility, the city remained operational and resilient.

Potucek has also been a strong advocate for regional collaboration. Under his leadership, Sierra Vista partnered with Cochise County to establish a regional dispatch center, streamlining emergency response efforts and reducing costs through shared technology and manpower. He believes such partnerships are crucial for efficiency but acknowledges they require integrating different organizational cultures to be successful.

Looking ahead, Potucek sees great potential in further development at Libby Army Airfield. The city hopes to acquire several hundred acres of federal land to expand commercial, firefighting, and potential space-related operations on the north side of the field. If secured, this project could enhance economic opportunities and solidify Fort Huachuca’s long-term mission.

“We’re as close now as we’ve ever been to obtaining that land,” he noted, emphasizing its importance in Sierra Vista’s economic diversification efforts, particularly in sports tourism and military partnerships.

Potucek’s leadership has not gone unrecognized. He has received numerous accolades, including the Jakubowski Professional Excellence Award from the Arizona City/County Management Association. In November, he was honored as a 2024-2025 Defense Community Champion by the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) in partnership with Navy Federal Credit Union. Despite the recognition, he remains humble, crediting elected officials and city staff for Sierra Vista’s successes.

“They’re the ones who raise their hands and vote on the budget, approve projects, and commit to the community,” he said. “My job is to advise them, and they’ve placed their trust in me for nearly three decades.” Potucek is optimistic about the city’s future, particularly its growing reputation as a sports-tourism destination and its enduring partnership with Fort Huachuca.

“To me, it’s always been about balancing people’s needs with the budget, so the city can stay flexible when tough times come around,” he reflected. “I look forward to seeing Sierra Vista thrive in the years to come.”