City Manager

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The City Manager is an appointed municipal official who carries out the administrative and executive duties of the city government under a council-manager form of government. The city manager is not an elected position. The city manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council, which retains the legal right to dismiss and replace holder of this office. Because city managers are hired, not elected, they can lose their position if a majority of the 5-member council decide it is time for a change. [1]

Sam Sanders became the permanent city manager on August 1, 2023. [2]


Ambox notice.png This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

List of City Managers (1913–1922)

Name Title Term start Term end Length
1906-A. V. Conway.JPG
 A. V. Conway Mayor & City Manager September 1, 1913 August 31, 1916
1917-H. A. Stecker.JPG
 Hubert A. Stecker City Business Manager January 15, 1917 September 1918 Resigned
Shelton S. Fife Acting City Business Manager September 25, 1918
Shelton S. Fife City Business Manager January 22, 1920 August 31, 1920
Walter Washabaugh City Business Manager September 1, 1920 August 31, 1921 one term
1922-Bennett, Boyd A.JPG
Boyd A. Bennett City Business Manager September 1, 1921 August 31, 1922

Notes:

  • On September 1, 1913, the city form of government changed, and Mayor A. V. Conway was given the dual role of mayor and city manager. He was elected as such for one year, and re-elected at the end of that time for two years.
  • Hubert A. Stecker was granted leave of absence from his office in accordance with the Virginia Statute for those on war duty, and that during his absence an acting City Business Manager was to be installed to carry on the work.
  • On September 25, 1918, Shelton S. Fife was employed by the month as temporary City Manager at a salary of $150.00 per month after Hubert A. Stecker resigned from office to serve in WWI. Fife was thereafter employed by the month as temporary City Manager at a salary of $150.00 per month.

List of City Managers (1922–current)

Charlottesville's city council-manager form of government dates back to September 1, 1922. Three councilors were elected that year followed by two more in 1923. [3] Prior to that, Charlottesville had a strong-mayor form of government with a bicameral legislature consisting of a Board of Alderman and a Common Council. [4]

Name Title Term start Term end Length
1922-Bennett, Boyd A.JPG
 Boyd A. Bennett City Manager September 1, 1922 August 31, 1925 1,095 days
Yancey, Henry A..JPG
 H. A. Yancey Acting City Manager September 1, 1925 August 31, 1926 364 days
Yancey, Henry A..JPG
 H. A. Yancey City Engineer/City Manager September 1, 1926 August 31, 1931 1,825 days
1930- Seth Burnley, City Manager.JPG
 Seth Burnley City Manager September 1, 1931 1948 6,117 days
Bowen, James E.JPG
 James E. Bowen Acting City Manager June 1, 1948 1948 91 days
Bowen, James E.JPG
 James E. Bowen City Manager 1948[5] 1970 8,350 days
2013-Don Hendrix.JPG
 Cole Hendrix City Manager 1971 1995[6] 8,760 days
2011-Gary OConnell.JPG
 Gary B. O'Connell City Manager 1995 2010 5,475 days
2023-Maurice Jones.JPG
 Maurice Jones Acting City Manager April 10, 2010 December 6, 2010 240 days
2023-Maurice Jones.JPG
 Maurice Jones City Manager December 6, 2010 July 31, 2018 2,794 days
Mike Murphy square.JPG
 Mike Murphy Interim City Manager 2018 May 2019 275 days
2019-Tarron J. Richardson 2.jpg
 Tarron Richardson City Manager May 13, 2019 September 30, 2020 [7] [8] 506 days
20180801John Blair.jpg
 John Blair City Attorney/Interim City Manager September 30, 2020 October 1, 2020 1 day
2020 - John C. Blair, II.JPG
 John Blair Acting City Manager October 1, 2020[9] February 12, 2021 134 days
20140324 TJPDC ChipBoyles.jpg
 Chip Boyles Interim City Manager February 15, 2021 October 31, 2021 258 days
CityofCharlottesvilleSeal2018.png
 Vacant City Manager October 31, 2021
The Robert Bobb Group LLC logo color.JPG
 Robert Bobb Group, LLC (RBG) Interim City Manager January 18, 2022
2023-Michael Rogers.JPG
 Michael C. Rogers (RBG) Interim City Manager January 18, 2022 July 31, 2023 559 days
2023-Sam Sanders.JPG
 Sam Sanders City Manager August 1, 2023 [10]

Tenure

Sam Sanders

Sam Sanders is the current city manager. [11]

  • July 12, 2023 – Charlottesville Mayor J. Lloyd Snook announced the selection Samuel Sanders, Jr. as the new City Manager on this Wednesday. Sanders has officially been appointed by City Council and his contract approved for his first day in the role on August 1. [12] The Council has been advertising the position since March. According to Mayor Lloyd Snook, the city received 20 qualified applicants and has narrowed them to three, all of whom have at least two decades experience in municipal leadership.[13]

Sam Sanders serves as the Charlottesville City Manager, effective August 1, 2023. He joined the city as the City's Deputy City Manager for Operations in July 2021. As his replacement, the City of Charlottesville is seeking an experienced professional to serve as Deputy City Manager of Operations[14] at a salary range of $158,258.00 - $197,029.00 Annually; closing date is 12/08/2023.

Steven Hicks serves as the Interim Deputy City Manager of Operations. Ashley Marshall is the Deputy City Manager for Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Robert Bobb Group, LLC (RBG)/Michael C. Rogers

After the resignation of Chip Boyles, there was a period where the city struggled to find someone to take the position.

On December 3, 2021, Charlottesville issued a request for proposals to hire a firm to perform the functions of the City Manager, in lieu of the City Council choosing a person for the position. [15]

Michael C. Rogers became the interim city manager in January 2022. A six-month contract extension of $155,000 was granted in early June extending the term to the end of 2022. [16]

Chip Boyles era (February 2021 - October 2021)

Chip Boyles' tenure as City Manager began on February 15, 2021. At that time, the council anticipated launching a public search process for hiring a city manager, likely in 2022 after the next election. The 2021 election includes filling two open seats on the council at the beginning of the next new session. The Charlottesville City Council (2022-2023) legislative session will begin on January 1, 2022 and runs until December 31, 2023.

Four months in, he told the Daily Progress that it had been as positive experience so far and had developed a good working relationship with City Council. [17]

Boyles resigned on October 12, 2021 effective October 31, 2021. After a previous interim City Manager pick accepted the job to start December 2021, but then withdrew a few days before coming to work, the council quickly entered into a contract with the firm of Robert Bobb Group, LLC (RBG) for City Manager services; under a six month contract with RBG, Michael C. Rogers became the interim City Manager on January 18, 2022.

John Blair era (September 2020 - February 2021)

As 2021 began, the city of Charlottesville was in "crisis" about how to fill the position, following Tarron Richardson's resignation, effective on September 30, 2020, after a 16-month tenure. [18][19][20]

City Attorney John Blair was appointed Interim City Manager by city council with effective date of September 30, 2020.[20] Blair held the office of acting city manager from September 30, 2020 to February 12, 2021. He left the City of Charlottesville on March 5, 2021, having accepted a position as City Attorney in the City of Staunton.

Fractious search for Richardson's replacement

As 2021 began, Council's search for a new replacement broke down as the search firm hired quit after news broke that Charlottesville Police Chief RaShall Brackney refused to meet with the person who was running the process. [21] Ralph Andersen and Associates had been hired in the fall of 2019 soon after the resignation of Tarron Richardson in September 2019.

Meanwhile, a group of Charlottesville citizens led by Tanesha Hudson are calling on Council to bring Tarron Richardson back. [22] [23]

Marc Woolley era (November 2021 - November 2021)

On November 5, 2021, Marc Woolley was appointed as city manager effective December 1. Council announced his withdrawal on November 30, 2021.[24] [25] Council anticipates launching a search process for hiring a full city manager in April 2022. [26] [27]

Tarron Richardson era (May 2019 - September 2020)

Tarron Richardson began work on May 13, 2019, resigned effective Sept 30, 2020[28][20]. Mike Murphy retired as Deputy City Manager in December 2019. [29] Soon after taking the post in May 2019, Dr. Tarron Richardson wanted to make changes. In July 2019, he reorganized departments and created an Operations Portfolio. At the City Council's retreat on July 31st, Richardson presented the previous organization structure and explained that the new structure would allow for "more efficient operations, a more centralized span of control, and the ability to answer inquiries in a timelier manner. " He also discussed the Compensation Study, noting "positions would be correctly categorized and named; and new employee salaries would not exceed tenured staff members." [30]

Interim deputy city manager, Leslie Beauregard announced she was leaving soon after the revamp and Richardson's arrival. [31]

There were other departures as well. Parks Director Brian Daly left the city in October 2019 and was replaced on an interim basis by Todd Brown.[32] Brown would later be named to the position on a permanent basis.

One of Richardson's first personnel decision was to seek a new deputy city manager position that would serve as a chief operating officer. [33]

In July, he named a new administrative team. Mike Murphy would remain as Deputy City Manager, overseeing services. Leslie Beauregard was made interim deputy city manager for finance and administration. Paul Oberdorfer was named interim deputy city manager for operations. All three were to report to Letitia Shelton, the deputy city manager and chief operating officer. [34]

In September 2019, Richardson announced at a budget work session that the city would explore building a new administrative center to consolidate school and general government offices. A request for proposals for a location and logistics study was released in mid-October, but canceled two days later.

Council held its first performance evaluation with Dr. Richardson on October 26, 2019 in a four-hour closed door work session. [35] Council grew concerned about Richardson's hiring of Shelton without community input. [36]

Richardson resigned on Sept 11 2020 (effective Sept 30, 2020). He filed a federal lawsuit against City Council on November 18, 2021. [37]

City Manager's Office

Deputy City Manager of Services
(vacant)
Position previously held by Mike Murphy;

It is quite possible the structure listed below will not continue into the future after Richardson's departure.

Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer
Letitia Shelton; July 2019 (announced last day of February 19, 2021)[38]
Deputy City Manager of Finance and Administration
(vacant)
Position previously held by Leslie Beauregard, interim
Deputy City Manager of Operations
(vacant)
Position previously held by Paul Oberdorfer; July 2019 to December 2020
Deputy City Manager for Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI)
(vacant) Not yet been filled
Under the direction of the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager for Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) would have been responsible for managing several key City Departments (Office of REDI, Office of Human Rights, Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, and the Police Civilian Review Board).[39]Mike Murphy era (July 2018 - May 2019)

Maurice Jones era (April 2010 - July 2018)

2018 and 2019 search for a new manager

At one point, Council had hired Sidney C. Zemp to serve as interim manager, but he ultimately declined the position. [40]

Round One Interviews

Thirty-seven people applied for the position. Council held a special meeting on February 20, 2010 to interview candidates. [41]

Round Two Interviews

Council settled on three finalists who were to be interviewed on public on March 6, 2019. They were:[42]

Gary O'Connell era (November 1995 - April 2010)

2010 Search for a new manager

Gary O'Connell stepped down as city manager in April 2010. After a search, three finalists were interviewed including Maurice Jones. The other two candidates were East Providence Rhode Island City Manager Richard Brown and Columbia Missouri Assistant City Manager Paula Hertwig Hopkins[44].

Cole Hendrix era (1971 - 1996)

Hendrix served as the City Manager of Charlottesville from 1971 to 1996, and among the many projects he oversaw during that time were the development of the Charlottesville downtown pedestrian mall, the public/private construction of the Omni Hotel, the construction of Charlottesville High School and the Meadowcreek Golf Course, the establishment of the public bus transportation system, and the creation of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority.[45]

James E. Bowen era (1948-1970)

In 1948, Bowen was both city director of finance and clerk of council when he was appointed acting city manager by the council to fill the unexpired term of Seth Burnley, who resigned to become city manager of Staunton. Council voted 3-1 to approve him finishing out Burnley's unexpired contract.

Councilor Gus K. Tebell voted against his appointment: “As a member of the committee to recommend a new city manager, I want to file this minority report. I do not believe the committee has fully considered enough applicants, nor looked far enough out-side the city…I believe the city manager should be an engineer and preferably…have considerable experience in the management field. If you appoint the director of finance, than both the office of manager and finance will be new to appointees."[5]

Mayor-council government (1888-September 1, 1922)

Prior to the city's change to a council/manager form of government on September 1, 1922, the mayor was the city’s chief executive, while the council served as the city’s primary legislative body. [3]

City Manager/Engineer (1917-1922)

The executive authority of the mayor was less expansive and more power was shared with the council. The Board of Aldermen (the Common Council concurring) appointed the Hubert A. Stecker as City Business Manager (January 1, 1917; resigned September 1918);

W. Washabaugh, 1922[46]

Strong mayor-council (1916-1917)

The mayor was the city’s chief executive, while the council served as the city’s primary legislative body. E. G. Haden served as the city's elected mayor from October 7, 1916 - December 31, 1917

City Manager/Engineer (1913 - 1916)

The combined position of City Manager/Engineer was provided for Charlottesville by ordinance in 1913. All the duties of an executive or administrative character, previously performed by mayoral committees, were to be discharged exclusively by the city manager - the committees acting in an advisory capacity. [47] All the duties of an executive or administrative character which has been performed by several council committees under ordinance in force before the creation of the office of City Manager were now required to be discharged exclusively by the City's business manager, the committees acting in an advisory capacity. [48]

On September 1, 1913, the form of government changed, A. V. Conway was made Business Manager as well as Mayor, elected as such for one year, and re-elected at the end of that time for two years.

Executive Mayor (1912-1913)

Charlottesville's administrative and executive duties were with a bicameral legislature consisting of a Board of Alderman and a Common Council. [4] All the duties of administrative character were performed by several council committees appointed by the mayor.

A. V. Conway officiated as executive Mayor for one year, from September 1, 1912 to August 31, 1913. On September 1, 1913, the form of government changed, and he was made Business Manager as well as Mayor.

Weak mayor-council (1888-1912)

What does the City Manager do?

The City of Charlottesville operates under the Council/Manager form of government. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, is the Chief Executive Officer for the City. This office is responsible for implementing the policies and directives of the City Council throughout the various City departments and agencies.[49]

The city charter generally gives the city manager, as chief executive, the broad authority to hire and fire employees.

§ 5.01. City manager. Subject to general control by the council as provided in § 4 (b) hereof, the city manager shall have full executive and administrative authority and shall have the right to employ and discharge all employees under his control. All departments of city government, including the fire department and police department, shall be under the general supervision of the city manager.[50]

Under the council-manager statutes, the city council is prohibited from interfering with the manager's administration. The city manager, however, is directly accountable to and can be removed by a majority vote of the council at any time.

In the city’s system of government, the city manager is in charge of all operations, while the mayor, who is elected every two years by the council, is primarily responsible for managing council meetings.

References

  1. ↑ Web. City Manager Job Description, Website, Villanova University, retrieved January 9, 2021.
  2. ↑ Web. Charlottesville looks to Sam Sanders for stability as new city manager, Emily Horn, News Article, Cavalier Daily, Auguat 1, 2023, retrieved August 2, 2023.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Web. McCue Bill Would Alter Election of Councilmen, Don Devore, Daily Progress Digitized Microfilm, Lindsay family, January 23, 1960, retrieved January 10, 2021. Print. January 23, 1960 page 9.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Print: Burrows Proposes New Bill for Vote on Annexation, , Daily Progress, Lindsay family February , 1960, Page .
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Web. Bowen is Named Acting Manager by City Council, Staff Reports, Daily Progress Digitized Microfilm, Lindsay family, June 1, 1948, retrieved March 26, 2019 from University of Virginia Library. Print. June 1, 1948 page 1.
  6. ↑ Web. 1970-12-21, J.S. Rush, Jr., City of Charlottesville, Charlottesville, VA, December 21, 1970, retrieved March 26, 2019.
  7. ↑ Web. City manager search narrowed to three candidates, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, March 5, 2019, retrieved March 6, 2019.
  8. ↑ Web. Charlottesville City Manager Richardson resigns after 16-month tenure, Blair appointed interim, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, September 12, 2020, retrieved September 12, 2020.
  9. ↑ Web. Charlottesville City Manager Richardson resigns after 16-month tenure, Blair appointed interim, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, September 12, 2020, retrieved September 12, 2020.
  10. ↑ Web. Charlottesville looks to Sam Sanders for stability as new city manager, Emily Horn, News Article, Cavalier Daily, Auguat 1, 2023, retrieved August 2, 2023.
  11. ↑ Web. Charlottesville looks to Sam Sanders for stability as new city manager, Emily Horn, News Article, Cavalier Daily, Auguat 1, 2023, retrieved August 2, 2023.
  12. ↑ Web. Deputy City Manager Sam Sanders Officially Appointed by Council as Charlottesville’s New City Manager, July 17, 2023, retrieved October 11, 2023.
  13. ↑ Web. City Council hopes to hire its sixth city manager in six years before July, JUNE 9, 2023, retrieved October 11, 2023.
  14. ↑ Web. [1]
  15. ↑ Web. CONTRACT FOR CITY MANAGER SERVICES, Request for Proposals, December 3, 2021, retrieved June 13, 2022.
  16. ↑ Web. City extends interim city manager contract, not likely to have permanent manager until 2023, Ginny Bixby, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, June 8, 2022, retrieved June 13, 2022.
  17. ↑ Web. Boyles reflects on first four months as Charlottesville city manager, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, retrieved July 1, 2021.
  18. ↑ Web. Charlottesville City Council holds emergency session in wake of “leadership crisis”, Riley Wyant, News Article, WVIR NBC29, January 8, 2021, retrieved January 9, 2021.
  19. ↑ Web. ADDRESSING LEADERSHIP ISSUES, Carley Haynes, Video segment, CBS19 News, January 8, 2021, retrieved January 9, 2021.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Web. Charlottesville City Manager Richardson resigns after 16-month tenure, Blair appointed interim, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, Sep 11, 2020, retrieved Jan 5, 2021.
  21. ↑ Web. January 5, 2021: Council suspends search for next Charlottesville City Manager, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Community Engagement, Town Crier Productions, January 5, 2021, retrieved January 9, 2021.
  22. ↑ Web. Authors of petition to bring back Tarron Richardson gather at Charlottesville’s ‘Freedom Wall’, Max Marcila, News Article, WVIR NBC29, Charlottesville, Virginia, January 8, 2021, retrieved January 9, 2021.
  23. ↑ Web. Dr. Richardson Please Come Back!, JoJo Robertson, Petition, retrieved January 9, 2021.
  24. ↑ Web. One day before start date Charlottesville announces interim city manager has withdrawn from job, Madison McNamee, News Article, WVIR NBC29, Charlottesville, Virginia, Nov. 30, 2021 at 6:14 PM EST, retrieved December 14, 2021.
  25. ↑ Web. Charlottesville City Council appoints new city manager, News Staff, News Article, CBS19, Charlottesville, Virginia, January 14, 2021, retrieved January 15, 2021.
  26. ↑ Web. November 8, 2021: Charlottesville's Woolley era to begin on Dec. 1; Fifeville group seeks facilitator for Cherry Avenue plan listening sessions, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Community Engagement, Town Crier Productions, November 8, 2021, retrieved November 9, 2021.
  27. ↑ Web. November 30, 2021: Woolley withdraws as City Manager; Scottsville utilizing DORA for holiday event this Saturday, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Community Engagement, Town Crier Productions, November 30, 2021, retrieved December 4, 2021.
  28. ↑ Web. Packet for March 6, 2019 public interviews of managerial candidates, March 5, 2019, retrieved March 6, 2019.
  29. ↑ Web. Deputy City Manager to step down Friday, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, retrieved December 7, 2019. Print. December 4, 2019 page A1.
  30. ↑ Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, July 31, 2019.
  31. ↑ Web. Longtime city employee leaving after reorganization, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, August 16, 2019, retrieved October 27, 2019.
  32. ↑ Web. Brown tapped as interim city parks and recreation director, Staff Reports, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, November 1, 2019, retrieved November 3, 2019. Print. November 1, 2019 page A3.
  33. ↑ Web. City seeks to hire deputy manager, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, May 31, 2019, retrieved June 1, 2019.
  34. ↑ Web. Richardson details changes to city management, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, July 31, 2019, retrieved October 27, 2019.
  35. ↑ Web. City Council to meet Saturday to discuss city manager performance, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, October 26, 2019, retrieved October 27, 2019. Print. October 26, 2019 page A3.
  36. ↑ Web. Hiring of deputy city manager prompts proposed code change, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, November 29, 2019, retrieved November 30, 2019. Print. November 30, 2019 page A1.
  37. ↑ Web. Former Charlottesville City Manager Richardson sues current and former city officials, Ginny Bixby, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, November 24, 2021, retrieved December 4, 2021.
  38. ↑ Web. Charlottesville's remaining deputy city manager resigns, CBS19 News, January 7th, 4:50 PM EST; Updated: January 7th, 8:06 PM EST, retrieved January 8, 2021.
  39. ↑ Web. Deputy City Manager for Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, JobSearcher, retrieved January 8, 2021.
  40. ↑ Web. ‘Leadership crisis’: City Council grappling with halt to city manager search, infighting, Charlotte Renee Woods, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, January 7, 2021, retrieved January 9, 2021.
  41. ↑ Web. Charlottesville Continues Search for New City Manager, Henry Graff, News Article, NBC29, February 20, 2019, retrieved February 24, 2019.
  42. ↑ http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=64602
  43. ↑ Web. City manager search narrowed to three candidates, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, March 5, 2019, retrieved March 6, 2019.
  44. ↑ Web. New C'Ville City Manager Picked, NBC 29, retrieved November 23, 2010.
  45. ↑ Web. Don Hendrix Obituary, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, retrieved November 15, 2023.
  46. ↑ Web. Financial Needs of Departments, Staff Reports, Daily Progress Digitized Microfilm, Lindsay family, August 8, 1922, retrieved March 26, 2019 from University of Virginia Library. Print. August 8, 1922 page 2.
  47. ↑ Web. The American City, Volume 17, December 1917, retrieved June 8, 2016 from Google Books.
  48. ↑ Web. The American City, Volume 17, December 1917, retrieved June 8, 2016 from Google Books.
  49. ↑ Web. Code of Ordinances | Charlottesville, VA | Municode Library, ARTICLE III. - CITY MANAGER, Municipal Code Corporation (Municode), retrieved January 9, 2021.
  50. ↑ https://law.lis.virginia.gov/charters/charlottesville/
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