city managers

Cities often run millions of dollars for their budget. Imagine running for mayor when your only career experience might be, for example, working retail. Can you imagine a business that’s hiring a CEO or manager and doesn’t require any experience in that businesses industry or field? This is where a city manager comes in. There are people that have a master's degree in public administration. They are passionate and knowledgable about local government works, and would be in charge of daily functions in the city.

City managers also untangle administrative knots. Let’s say that somebody calls a council member and says, “I have a pot hole on my street that needs fixing.” So city council calls public works; public works doesn't work for elected officials, they work for the public works director, and the public works director works for the mayor. This net of bureaucracy has knots in it that can be undone with a city manager. City governments also deal with police and fire unions, pensions, hundreds of employees, and more. So why wouldn't you have a manager managing the day to day, and the council set the policy?

People are moving to Idaho because it’s a desirable place to live. City managers can help us restore and maintain the Idaho we all grew up with.