Rohnert Park appoints Timothy Mattos as new public safety director

Rohnert Park City Council approved the hiring of Timothy Mattos as the new director of the city’s public safety department with a 5-0 vote at its Tuesday meeting.

Mattos, 55, comes to the combined police and fire agency from Suisun City, in Solano County, where he has been in a command role with its police department for a decade, including the past three and a half years as chief. Since July, he has served as the city’s interim city manager.

In a separate agenda item, the council also voted 5-0 to restructure the department’s command-level staff. Instead of the present framework that includes a director and three commanders, Mattos will oversee a transition to two deputy chiefs and four lieutenant positions in place of the commander roles, while also eliminating one of 13 sergeant jobs.

The change comes at an estimated annual cost of $800,000 to the general fund, not including $110,000 in the first year to buy two new vehicles for the added staff.

Jeff Weaver, 51, the retired Sebastopol police chief who since August has served as interim public safety director, will complete his tenure with the department with Mattos’ appointment. Weaver’s last day on the job is Dec. 27 and Mattos will start in his new role Dec. 28.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin Fixler at 707-521-5336 or at kevin.fixler@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @kfixler.