City manager Tom Hardy said Friday he likes his current job too much to leave it for a position as Gov. Michael Leavitt's point man for the 2002 Winter Games.
Hardy, recently appointed to oversee financial, intergovernmental and legal affairs related to the 2002 Games, was scheduled to assume the Olympic coordinator position on Monday. He said his heart told him to stay in Bountiful as city manager."I realized I just enjoy doing this much, much more," he said. "Life is too short to do something that you don't totally enjoy doing, and I totally enjoy doing this."
Hardy, city manager since 1981, said he hopes to remain at his current job for the remainder of his professional career. He informed Leavitt of his decision to stay in Bountiful Thursday.
Mayor John Cushing said he was happy about Hardy's decision.
"I think the employees, staff and elected officials in Bountiful are more than pleased to know that he's going to be staying on with us in the future," said Cushing.
Hardy has already topped out in his salary at about $87,000 per year, but Cushing said the city would look at making some positive changes in his retirement benefits package to reward him for remaining in Bountiful.
The city received 110 resumes for Hardy's position. During Hardy's tenure, Bountiful has undergone unparalleled growth.
Leavitt's spokeswoman, Vicki Varela, said the governor is sorry Hardy won't be joining his staff.
Hardy's decision means the governor will have to find someone else to oversee the Olympics on behalf of the state, which has agreed to cover any debts left behind by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.
Varela said several candidates are being considered and a decision should be made soon.