Nicholas Gauthier has been sworn in to lead the City of Biggs as its new administrator. Photo courtesy LinkedIn

BIGGS, CA (MPG) - The Biggs City Council on Jan. 27 approved a three-year employment agreement appointing Nicolas Gauthier as the city’s new city administrator.

Gauthier was selected following a recruitment and interview process led by Interim City Administrator Rodney Harr, who has overseen city operations since the council terminated former City Administrator Josh Cook. Gauthier was sworn in by City Clerk Roben Benish and has since assumed his duties at City Hall.

“It is an honor to be brought onto this team in the service of the community and City of Biggs,” Gauthier said. “It is my goal to meet everyone, learn where we are and where we want to be.”

Biggs officials said they viewed Gauthier as a strong organizational fit based on his experience and administrative approach.

Gauthier graduated from Forest Lake Christian School in Auburn in 2003 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in history and public policy from William Jessup University. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Law and Governmental Policy from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

He served nearly 10 years in the U.S. Army as an infantryman, deploying to Ramadi in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2009, and achieved the rank of staff sergeant. His military awards include the Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Sgt. Morales Medal.

After leaving the Army in 2014, Gauthier was selected as a 2017-18 California Senate Fellow. He later worked as a legislative director in the Assembly and served as Capitol director for the Senate Minority Caucus chair, focusing on veterans issues, tax relief and statewide policy. He is an adjunct professor at William Jessup University, the author of the 2025 book “In the Name of Democracy”, and a husband and father of four.

Under the contract signed by Mayor Bo Sheppard, Gauthier will earn a first-year base salary of $145,000, along with a $250 monthly fuel stipend and an $80 monthly cell phone reimbursement. Salary for the second and third years will be considered during the council’s annual performance evaluations.

The contract provides 80 hours of management leave per year and vacation accrual of 15 hours per month, with a combined leave cap of 256 hours. Gauthier will receive medical, retirement and other fringe benefits equal to those offered to other city employees, including CalPERS participation.

The agreement outlines annual performance goals to be set by Sept. 30 each year and includes provisions for termination with or without cause. Gauthier is also required to maintain membership in the International City/County Management Association, the California City Management Foundation and the League of California Cities City Managers Department.

In discussing his transition into the role, Gauthier said he brings a lead-from-the-front management style and considers his team his highest priority. He said he works long hours, values efficiency and simplicity, and strives to create a workplace where employees can focus on their responsibilities without unnecessary stress or conflict. He noted that he maintains an open-door approach and has been meeting with staff to better understand ongoing projects, fill information gaps and organize the work ahead.