Sam Sanders
| Sam Sanders | ||
|---|---|---|
 Samuel O. Sanders, Jr. City's official photo, 2023 |
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City Manager
City of Charlottesville |
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| Term Start | August 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Michael C. Rogers (RBG) | |
Deputy City Manager of Operations
City of Charlottesville |
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| Term Start | July 2021 | |
| Term End | July 31, 2023 | |
Biographical Information
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| Place of birth | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | |
Sam Sanders has been the City Manager of Charlottesville since August 1, 2023. [1] Before that, he was Deputy City Manager for Operations - a position he began in July 2021. [2] He also serves as a member of City Council's Finance Committee. [3]
Biography
Sanders was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He moved around a lot as a child. [4]
From July 2021 to July 31, 2023, Sanders has served as Deputy City Manager of Operations for the City of Charlottesville, after serving most recently as the Executive Director of Baton Rouge, Louisiana's Mid City Redevelopment Alliance - a non-profit which "develops and promotes the growth of Mid City Baton Rouge by attracting new and retaining current residents and businesses."[5]
Principal/Consultant Community Revitalization Strategies
Appointment
Charlottesville Mayor J. Lloyd Snook announced the selection Samuel Sanders, Jr. as the new City Manager on on July 12, [[2023]. [6]. Sanders was officially been appointed by Charlottesville City Council (2022-2023) and his contract approved for his first day in the role on August 1. [7]
The Council had 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.[8]
2023
Curfew lifted at the park
September 21, 2023 – Sanders issued a directive to lift the closing time in Market Street Park.[9] A homeless encampment continued to increase in size at Market Street Park after closing hours were lifted.
Sanders issued the directive to after hearing a complaint of a police officer allegedly kicking two homeless people to wake them up after hours. That decision followed an alleged altercation between police and a man who refused to leave the park after hours. Sanders said at the time he would be working on a plan to present to City Council. [10]
2024
2025
Administration reshuffle
In late September, Sanders sent a memo to staff informing them of a series of changes to his administration. The number of deputy positions would be reduced to one with Deputy City Manager James Freas remaining in the role. Ashley Marshall became the Chief Prosperity Officer for the city. There would now be two assistant city manager positions as well as an assistant to the city manager. [11] Shortly after the reshuffle was announced, Sanders announced the hiring of Steve King as his assistant. [12]
References
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Web. Deputy City Managers, City of Charlottesville, retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ↑ Web. October 21, 2024, Charlottesville City Council minutes, City of Charlottesville, retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ↑ Web. Sam Sanders, Podcast, WINA, September 23, 2023, retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ↑ Web. Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ↑ Web. Sanders selected as Charlottesville’s next City Manager, News Article, Town Crier Productions, July 12, 2023, retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ↑ Web. Deputy City Manager Sam Sanders Officially Appointed by Council as Charlottesville’s New City Manager, July 17, 2023, retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ↑ Web. City Council hopes to hire its sixth city manager in six years before July, JUNE 9, 2023, retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ↑ Web. City Manager Addresses Unhoused Community Crisis in Market Street Park, City of Charlottesville, September 21, 2023, retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ↑ Web. https://www.nbc29.com/2023/09/22/city-manager-working-plan-help-unhoused-sleeping-market-street-park/, NBC29, Published: Sep. 22, 2023 at 12:48 PM EDT, retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ↑ Web. Sanders announces restructuring of city leadership, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Town Crier Productions, October 3, 2025, retrieved October 19, 2025.
- ↑ Web. City Manager Sanders hires an assistant, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Town Crier Productions, October 9, 2025, retrieved October 19, 2025.