Colorado Springs’ “strong mayor” form of city government, wisely adopted by local voters in 2010, works best with a strong chief of staff. That’s essentially the air-traffic controller of municipal government who sees to it the mayor’s will is done — and done right. 

Last week, first-term Mayor Yemi Mobolade announced a truly exceptional pick to fill that post after previous Chief of Staff Jamie Fabos had announced in January she was stepping down. 

Wayne Williams — the second-place finisher in the May 2023 mayoral runoff election that Mobolade won — now will serve as the mayor’s right-hand man. It’s hard to think of anyone more qualified for the job.

“We need more of that political savviness because of the times we’re living in,” Mobolade said in The Gazette’s news story on his announcement last Thursday. “I need someone with Wayne’s … experiences to help get things done for the city.”

Williams probably needs no introduction, having served prominently in state and local elected office. His reputation precedes him — notably, a highly competent, seasoned and super smart attorney and statesman who executes his duties in elected office well above the political fray.

Williams served two terms as an El Paso County commissioner and then was elected as Colorado’s secretary of state in 2014. The Republican Williams is one of the last members of his party to have held statewide elected office in increasingly blue Colorado. In 2019, Williams was elected to an at-large seat on the Colorado Springs City Council.

Though a committed conservative and faithful member of the GOP, Williams burnished his reputation for rising above politics as secretary of state. He won respect from both major parties with his evenhanded, nonpartisan approach to overseeing the state’s elections and working with county clerks who were Republicans and Democrats. It turned out to be a stark contrast to Colorado’s current, blindly ambitious and hyperpartisan Democratic secretary of state, who has demeaned the office by making it a vehicle for her personal political agenda.

Mobolade, who brought his strengths to office as a small-business owner and ministry leader, began his mayoral tenure as a newcomer to politics. He will benefit greatly from Williams’ longtime experience in the world of politics and policymaking.

Williams has served Mobolade on a group of unofficial advisers who gave the mayor feedback on his policies. Williams also led one of the city’s solutions teams on infrastructure. Now, his duties will include serving as a liaison to the City Council and working with city department leaders on the 2027 budget. As The Gazette reported, he also plans to meet with businesses and community groups to work on some of the city’s top priorities.

The selection of Williams is laudable on another level — significant in its own right. Amid near-nonstop acrimony and polarization on the national political landscape, it is encouraging to see former political rivals join forces to better serve the public.

“This is the way that people still expect our society to be, which is that we may disagree on issues and candidates but ultimately, serving the people of the community is the important part,” Williams said.

Yes, indeed. If only more elected and appointed public officials could embrace that spirit.

Williams’ well-established commitment to public service, as well as singular competence in public office and sheer knowledge of public institutions, will serve Mobolade’s administration well. More important, those strengths will serve the taxpaying public well.