On a 6-1 vote at its Oct. 3 session, the Fountain Hills Town Council named Rachael Goodwin town manager, elevating her from the interim role she has had for the past six months.

She took over when Grady Miller unexpectedly retired in April.

Goodwin is to make a salary of $195,000 under her new contract. The council reviews the town manager’s performance on an annual basis and considers merit increases based on the review. She will receive a $600 per month vehicle allowance, which has been standard for the town with previous town managers. This provides compensation for the manager for using their personal vehicle for town business.

Councilman Allen Skillicorn cast the single dissenting vote. He indicated he believes the compensation is too high for a base salary and should be merit based. He did not propose an amendment.

Goodwin has been a part of the town staff for more than nine years and has served in municipal government for nearly 20 years.

She started her career with the Town of Fountain Hills as the recreation and events manager, and in 2017 took over the role of the community services director. In July 2023, she was named one of two deputy town managers to help represent the town on regional and statewide platforms. While community services director,  she led the department to the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration gold medal final for two consecutive years, winning the gold medal the second year.

After growing up in Las Vegas, Nev., she attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff where she earned her bachelor’s degree, then moved east for a job in Leesburg, Va. After coming to work for the Town of Fountain Hills in 2014, Goodwin continued her education at Arizona State University where she earned her master’s degree in public administration.

She has served on several regional boards, including the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. She is a national judge for the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration Gold Medal program.