Clallam County Administrator Jim Rumpeltes is taking a new job in a growing Arizona city.

Rumpeltes, who has supervised the county’s government departments since 1986 and oversees the county’s $78 million budget for 2001, will begin his new job as assistant city manager for Surprise, Ariz., on June 1.

Rumpeltes was dressed in a colorful Hawaiian shirt as his resignation was announced Thursday at the county courthouse in Port Angeles.

“My family and I are grateful for our 15 years in Port Angeles,” he said in a statement.

“It will be difficult to leave.” He said he would miss the people and the beauty of Clallam County.

Rumpeltes earns more than $90,000 in salary and benefits as Clallam administrator. He reports to the county board of commissioners.

Surprise is a city of 40,000 that has been growing fast on the northwest fringe of Phoenix. The municipality employs two assistant city managers.

The full report appears in the Friday/Saturday Clallam County edition of the Peninsula Daily News. Look for it at newsstands or click on “Subscribe” at left to get your own copy delivered by U.S. mail.