Carmine DeBonis Jr., a 35-year Pima County employee who oversaw a 10-year road repair program covering more than 1,000 miles of unincorporated roads, will lead the county's $1.81 billion operation starting Jan. 8.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to name DeBonis, 59, as the county's 10th administrator, KVOA first reported. He replaces Jan Lesher, who is retiring Jan. 7 after five years in the role.

For Oro Valley and Catalina Foothills residents, the appointment matters directly. The county administrator oversees 34 departments and more than 7,000 employees, according to the Tucson Sentinel. Unincorporated areas like Catalina Foothills depend on the county for roads, flood control and development permitting.

DeBonis called the appointment "surreal," the Arizona Daily Star reported. "Coming to the county 35 years ago, I didn't envision being at this spot," he said.

DeBonis started as an aide to District 3 Supervisor Ed Moore in 1991, according to KOLD. He became director of the Development Services Department in 2000, where he shortened wait times for economic development projects by introducing virtual inspections, the Star reported. He was named deputy county administrator in 2016.

KVOA reported that DeBonis championed a 10-year plan that has repaired more than 1,000 miles of unincorporated roads. He is also credited with the agreement that led to the Mosaic Quarter sports and business district, according to a county press release cited by the Star.

The board chose DeBonis after a national search that began in April and drew more than 70 applicants. A Georgia firm, Slavin Management Consultants, was paid $25,000 for the search, according to a contract the Sentinel obtained. Three finalists emerged: DeBonis, Leah Rhineheimer of Gilbert and Leonard Hernandez of Thurston County, Washington.

The vote drew praise across party lines. Supervisor Rex Scott said DeBonis "showed his extensive knowledge of the county's structure and operations," the Sentinel reported. Supervisor Steve Christy, the board's lone Republican, said he "couldn't be more excited" about the pick, the Star reported.

The job posting listed a salary range of $299,042 to $416,041. Lesher's current salary is $330,000, the Star reported.

Supervisors expect to vote on DeBonis's employment contract at their Tuesday, Nov. 10, meeting.