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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO -- Colorado Springs City Council has announced who will become interim city manager.

Current city manager Penny Culberth-Graft has said she will step down next month.

Now council is saying they want current Fire Chief Steve Cox to lead the city in the interim. And he will guide the city through an important transition in city government.

The mayor says the fire chief is perfect for the job. And depending on what happens in the next six months, he could be the last city manager the city ever has.

Cox will become the interim city manager next month. He will get a $33,000-a-year bump to his $147,000 salary.

Mayor Lionel Rivera says Cox’s background made him the natural choice.

"He’s got good background, good skills, and I think he's got the right touch for being the interim city manager," Rivera said.

Cox has been with the fire department 29 years and served as interim assistant city manager for aiz months back in 2008.

"That was a great learning experiment and gave me a chance to learn more about the operation of the city," Cox said.

Cox's tenure will cover a pivotal time in city government. In November voters may choose to switch to a strong-mayor form of government.

If that happens the mayor acts as CEO of the city and city manager is eliminated.

Even if voters reject the idea an almost entirely new council will take over next April.

"There will only be two council members that will carry over into the next city government," Rivera said.

And if that happens, Rivera says they should be able to choose their own city manager.

“They may want to make changes. They may want their own city manager," Rivera said.

So, with all the uncertainty and severe budget problems, why would Cox even want the job?

“It may sound corny but it’s really about service to the community. I was born and raised in this community. I have a stake in the city of Colorado Springs," Cox said.

So Cox is set to fill the job until next April. Then, either a new strong mayor will take over or the new city council will choose a permanent city manager.

And Cox hasn’t ruled out applying for that job.