Shows
City Manager UnfilteredMike Grabianowski: Don't Get Screwed on Your CIP Projects (Part 1) | Ep. 100In this two part series, I interview Mike Grabianowski who has many years of experience monitoring and auditing construction projects. As an employee of Georgia Pacific, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Mike was tasked with ensuring his company was not overbilled whenever it hired contractors to complete projects.
These projects, which could exceed $100 million, were put under a microscope by Mike and his team and he's learned many of the "tricks of the trades" over the years.
Now -- he's hung his own shingle and opened his own consulting firm to leverage this knowledge. And...2025-04-0259 minCity Manager UnfilteredLet's Talk About My Night in Jail | Ep. 99In the previous episode, I discussed the circumstances surrounding my arrest related to the performance of my duties as an assistant county administrator in Florida
In this episode, I discuss my night in a Walton County jail.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News...2025-03-261h 04City Manager UnfilteredLet's Talk About My Arrest in Florida | Ep. 98Two weeks ago, I drove across the country to turn myself in on an arrest warrant out of Walton County, Florida. I am facing two third degree felony charges related to carrying out my duties as the assistant county administrator.
Though I am innocent until proven guilty and I am confident that I will prevail in court -- I also recognize that in the court of public opinion one is often seen as guilty until proven innocent.
As someone who prides himself on being transparent and unafraid of facing difficult circumstances and challenges head on...2025-03-191h 06City Manager UnfilteredFrom Police Chief to City Manager with Matt Jensby | Ep. 97After a lengthy and successful career in law enforcement where he served as the police chief for the fastest growing community in Kansas, Matt Jensby had a desire to become a city manager and serve the public in a different way. In this episode, Matt talks about this transition and becoming the city manager for Kechi, a small community north of Wichita.
He explains the significant differences between being a department head versus the leader of an entire organization and how much of an eye-opening experience it has been for him in his first year as a...2025-03-0559 minCity Manager UnfilteredDonald Duncan: Lessons from Hurricane Helene (Part 1) | Ep. 95Caldwell County Manager Donald Duncan and his team were about as prepared as one could be for a natural disaster the size and scope of Hurricane Helene. But even still -- there were lessons to be learned and shared in the aftermath of this storm.
In this riveting interview series, Donald gives us a rundown of the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to disaster response and preparedness. He has also provided us with a checklist for you and your team to review.
I guarantee you will come away with some nuggets o...2025-02-191h 10City Manager UnfilteredRob Boyer Faced Petition to Adopt Strong Mayor Form of Government | Ep. 94In Illinois, Freeport City Manager Rob Boyer recently faced down a citizen's petition to move away from the council-manager form of government and revert back to the strong mayor form.
Reeling from mismanagement and economic decline, Freeport abandoned the strong mayor form of government about a decade ago. Since that time, Rob and his two predecessors have done great work to turn the community around. In this episode, we discuss many of his and their accomplishments and how the residents and taxpayers are better off today.
But, a recent effort that appears to be tinged...2025-02-1250 minCity Manager UnfilteredWhat Does AAME Advocacy for City Managers Look Like? | Ep. 93City managers deserve to have a professional association that will fight for them and help communicate their narrative in an environment where the deck is usually stacked against them.
In this week's episode I wanted to unpack some various advocacy efforts the American Association of Municipal Executives is currently engaged in on behalf of city managers. Not only are we engaged in direct advocacy on behalf of individuals, but we are also working to educate the public so that they have a better understanding of the perspectives and concerns city managers must weigh when determining whether to a...2025-02-0543 minCity Manager UnfilteredJames Freed: Life After Victory Over ICMA | Ep. 92Last September after mounting pressure, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) finally capitulated and settled the James Freed lawsuit a month before it was scheduled to go to trial. In this episode, we catch up with the Port Huron, Michigan city manager and see what life is like after his huge victory.
Hint: Lots of vacations with the wife. ROTFLMAO!
We also discuss the failures of his state association, the Michigan Municipal Executives, and discuss the feelings of abandonment and gaslighting he endured throughout this process. He shares how his faith and a supportive...2025-01-2956 minCity Manager UnfilteredJeff Cantrell: Blindsided by Separation Due to Weak Contract | Ep. 91When Jeff Cantrell uprooted his family and relocated for a city manager job in central Kansas, he never dreamed it would all come to an end two short years later. He was leaving Chanute (pop. 10,000), a Southeast Kansas town, for Hutchinson (pop. of 40,000) and replacing a well-respected manager who was retiring after holding the seat for 17 years.
It seemed like a no-brainer next step in the progression of Jeff's career.
In this interview, we talk about how his poorly constructed contract allowed him to get blindsided by his separation. And we talk about how it i...2025-01-221h 08City Manager UnfilteredEp. 90 | Economic Development the Right Way with Kevin PhelpsCity Manager Kevin Phelps and his team in Glendale, Arizona have put on a clinic when it comes to leveraging economic development. Since his arrival in 2016, the city has figuratively backed up the Brinks truck and filled their bank accounts with cash.
Residents pay lower property taxes per unit of valuation today than they did when he took over. And the number of employees in Glendale today is lower than a decade or so ago.
In this episode, we talk about Kevin's philosophical and practical approach to economic development and how his team has become...2025-01-151h 09City Manager UnfilteredCity Detect is Revolutionizing Code Enforcement with AI | Ep. 89Join Gavin Baum-Blake, Co-founder and CEO of City Detect, on City Manager Unfiltered, where he discusses how AI and computer vision technology are revolutionizing urban management.
With a background as a US Army veteran, an attorney, and an entrepreneur, Gavin brings a unique perspective to the ethical application of cutting-edge technology in tackling urban challenges like blight, housing decay, and illegal dumping.
Discover how his leadership is shaping smarter, safer, and more sustainable cities. Tune in to learn how local leaders can harness data-driven insights to transform their communities. #sponsored
SHOW NOTES:
2025-01-0850 minCity Manager UnfilteredJoe Turner Interviewed by Yucaipa City Manager Chris Mann | Ep. 88Yucaipa City Manager Chris Mann invited yours truly, and Calimesa City Manager Will Kolbow, to sit down for an interview on the Yucaipa 360 podcast.
The three of us discussed a variety of issues and subjects related to the city management profession and local government.
This episode is a rebroadcast of that interview for my audience of listeners.
Chris and his team in Yucaipa are really raising the bar when it comes to local government communications and the dissemination of information through the podcast and YouTube channel. If you have been thinking about starting a...2025-01-011h 28City Manager UnfilteredThe Shared Administrator Experiment in Connecticut | Ep. 87Three small towns in Connecticut are seeking to share an administrator -- the first time that something like this has ever been attempted according to the organization conducting the recruitment.
Joining me on the podcast to discuss this innovative approach is Alex Torpey from the Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
This shared administrator will be tasked with helping the cities of Canterbury, Chaplin, and Pomfret while technically being employed by the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG).
Canterbury (pop. 5,000) - Budget of $15,000,000
Chaplin (pop. 2,200) - Budget...2024-12-2545 minCity Manager UnfilteredCity Manager Wanted: Columbia Falls, Montana | Ep. 86Stale, boring recruitment brochures are played out and offer little value for candidates seeking their next city or county manager opportunity. Many of them contain boiler plate language or rehash text used in a previous announcement for a different community.
Isn't it time we re-imagine what a public sector executive recruitment should look like?
City managers are in an incredibly risky and volatile line of work. Resignations and terminations hurt their spouse and children.They can be financially devastating and destroy a person's confidence.
Isn't it time we start thinking more about the...2024-12-2052 minCity Manager UnfilteredLevel Up Your Career Using Andrew Patton's Networking Hack | Ep. 85Public sector human resources can be an incredibly challenging environment to operate in for even the most seasoned director. It is another level of difficult when your previous experience in HR was at Amazon, one of the largest and fastest growing companies in the world.
When Andrew Patton left Amazon and became the human resources director for La Vergne, he did not have a network of peers to call upon for advice and counsel. He was on an island and soon found himself at the center of a story that rocked his community and literally created international...2024-12-1852 minCity Manager UnfilteredMy First 100 Days as City Manager with Chris Hoem | Ep. 84Back in June, the City of Atwater hired Chris Hoem to be their next city manager. It was his first city manager gig and he was coming off of being terminated as a department head a few months before.
This interview was conducted shortly after he had completed his first 100 days in the position in late October. We talked about his preparation and how he navigated this introductory period. And he candidly shared his story about his termination and why he did not accept an offer to resign.
SHOW NOTES:
Chris Hoem's LinkedIn...2024-12-1152 minCity Manager UnfilteredThe Municipal Financial Crisis with Mark Moses | Ep. 83Mark Moses is the author of "The Municipal Financial Crisis" where he lays out a "framework for understanding and fixing government budgeting."
Mark has some strong opinions on how local governments have gradually increased and broadened their scope of services to an unsustainable level and he kills off some sacred cows along the way diagnosing the problem.
In this episode, we discuss zero based budgeting, privatization, impacts on the nonprofit community, and how elected officials negatively impact the budgeting process.
The book is very thought provoking and I highly encourage you all to...2024-12-041h 12City Manager UnfilteredHow to Calculate Your Mental Health Score | Ep. 81In last week's interview about radical mental health transparency, Todd Hopwood broadly discussed the 10 questions he asks himself each day.
In this follow up episode, we breakdown those 10 questions, how you should assess them, and how to calculate your score so that you can better track your mental health and mood.
Here are the 10 questions:
How motivated am I today?
What are my perceived energy levels?
Are simple tasks easy or difficult?
How well have I slept lately?
How's my physical health today?
How purposeful do I feel?
How connected am I to family...2024-11-2056 minCity Manager UnfilteredEp. 80 | Radical Mental Health Transparency with Todd HopwoodTodd Hopwood shocked me when he explained his radical approach to mental health transparency. We discuss a system he has implemented which is designed to help him when he is struggling and needs help the most.
Frankly, it is not an approach that I would personally be comfortable practicing in my workplace. However, there is no question that his courage, leadership, and modeling of this behavior promotes greater awareness of mental health issues in the workplace and it most definitely gives employees greater assurance that their mental health concerns are valid and will be supported within the...2024-11-131h 03City Manager UnfilteredWork-Life Balance is Bullshit with Seth Winterhalter | Ep. 79Seth Winterhalter has some thoughts on work-life balance, leaders needing chaos to thrive, and the let down that achievers can feel once they accomplish major goals.
An executive coach and owner of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, Seth seeks to help city and county managers escape burnout, set boundaries, and experience breakthroughs in work-life balance.
He recently rebranded his podcast to focus on local government executives and content. He has started rolling out interviews with city managers, too. I encourage you all to check it out and will link to it in the show notes.
...2024-11-061h 17City Manager UnfilteredSHS: Using Leverage & Real Estate to Create Wealth with Noel Bernal | Ep. 78In my first installment of my new "Side Hustle Sunday" series, I discuss the power of leveraging real estate to create wealth with Noel Bernal.
Noel started his real estate investment journey in his early 20's before he became a public sector executive. He, along with his wife, have increased their real estate holdings over time and expanded into larger real estate transactions through syndication deals.
We both preach the importance of city and county managers adding additional income streams to their portfolio so that they can weather separations and also maintain some control over...2024-11-031h 05City Manager UnfilteredJorge Garcia Methodically Prepared for First City Manager Post in Pismo Beach | Ep. 77Confident. Certain. Poised. Prepared.
Jorge Garcia, a first-time city manager in Pismo Beach, California, embodies all of these adjectives.
He has spent many years readying himself for this moment -- his first assignment as a chief executive officer for a municipal corporation.
He is only one year into his tenure, but as you listen to this interview, you will come away with the impression that he's sat in "the chair" for a decade plus!
Jorge is the next generation of public sector leadership and he models a wonderful example for those...2024-10-301h 00City Manager UnfilteredDaniel Rosemond Appeals Case to the Florida Supreme Court | Ep. 76Our friend, Daniel Rosemond, visits the show to provide an update on his legal case against the City of Hallandale Beach. In February, he had a major set back and we talk about battling through this ordeal that has now stretched out more than 8 years.
We also talk about his work with East to West Development and share some exciting news about his book, "Death of the Public Servant."
Daniel was featured in a 3-part interview series last year:
Episode 10: Death of the Public Servant,
Episode 12: Revenge of the Public Servant, and
Episode 16: Betrayal...2024-10-231h 19City Manager UnfilteredSide Hustles & Passive Income Streams with Nick Loper | Ep. 75Nick Loper is a legend in the side hustle and internet marketing space. He is the host of the Side Hustle Show podcast and runs the Side Hustle Nation website.
I get excited when talking about internet marketing, start-ups, passive income, and entrepreneurship. And I hope many of you do, too, as I would like to explore this topic in more earnest in the future.
Being a city or county manager is very risky. Governing bodies are churning and burning through public sector executives who are increasingly seen as disposable and interchangeable commodities.
...2024-10-1642 minCity Manager UnfilteredStarted From the Bottom with Brian Barboza | Ep. 74Clarendon City Administrator Brian Barboza literally started at the bottom and worked his way to "the chair."
When he was a young man, recently graduated from high school, Hereford City Manager Rick Hanna took an interest and gave him an application to become an employee in the streets department. Barboza worked for the city while going to college with plans to becoming a police officer.
A fateful conversation with Hanna who pitched Barboza on the idea of becoming a city manager would forever change his life.
In this episode, we talk about how...2024-10-0949 minCity Manager UnfilteredRising to Serve with Brooks Williams | Ep. 73City Manager Brooks Williams brings a passionate but demanding philosophical approach to local government. He joins the program to talk about the importance of innovation and efficiency, accountability, employee development, and building strong relationships with your elected officials as he leads the City of Ferris, Texas.
Brooks recently published "Rising to Serve," which I can only describe as his personal love letter to public service and city management. The foreward was penned by the incomparable Tommy Gonzalez.
In his book, available on Amazon, Brooks sets out on a mission to reimagine public administration in this...2024-10-021h 04City Manager UnfilteredJames Freed Wins After ICMA Settles Lawsuit! Now What? | Ep. 72As I predicted, the ICMA finally capitulated and settled the anti-defamation lawsuit brought forth by Michigan city manager James Freed. As part of the agreement where financial details were not releaed, the ICMA agreed to retract the censure by removing it from their website.
The settlement was announced via a joint statement on ICMA letterhead. However, I have received overwhelmingly negative responses from the city managers in my network regarding the language of that statement.
In this episode, I dissect the statement and compare it to the original press release issued by the ICMA when it...2024-09-221h 00City Manager UnfilteredJames Freed and ICMA issue multiple statements about lawsuit | Ep. 71Things are heating up in the battle between Port Huron City Manager James Freed and the ICMA over the last two weeks. The two-year saga began in June 2022 when the ICMA publicly censured Freed and stripped him of his credential. Freed countered with a lawsuit alleging the ICMA engaged in a conspiracy to defame him.
On September 5, 2024, Freed sent out an email along with a 21-page court filing. See link in the show notes.
On Friday the 6th, the ICMA issued its first public statement on the lawsuit mentioning James Freed by name and referencing...2024-09-1850 minCity Manager UnfilteredEp. 70 | Surviving Sexual & Domestic Abuse with Audree GuzmanAudree Guzman refused to become a statistic and has courageously battled through childhood sexual molestation and domestic abuse as a young woman. We discuss her battles along with other struggles encompassing eating disordes and mental health issues.
This is very powerful episode but listener discretion is strongly advised.
SHOW NOTES:
Here is the LinkedIn page for Audree Guzman
For more information about James Freed's anti-defamation lawsuit against the ICMA, I have created a reference page that will serve as a Wikipedia page of sorts. It can be found here: https://citymanagernews...2024-09-111h 02City Manager UnfilteredThe Trials & Tribulations of your First Gig with Audree Guzman | Ep. 69Audree Guzman was hired into her first city administrator gig at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Less than a year later, she would be forced to deal with another historic event that rocked her community.
In this episode, Audree and I discuss the trials and tribulations she faced down in her first city administrator gig in small town Kansas. We also discuss the impact a mentor had on her and what impact, if any, her being a Latina in a predominantly white state has had on her career.
Originally planned to be a single e...2024-09-0435 minCity Manager UnfilteredKeyboard Warriors & Social Media Terrorists with Sam Toles | Ep. 68In Part 2 of my interview with Sam Toles of CiviSocial, we discuss keyboard warriors and social media terrorists. I offer up my distinction between the two and urge elected officials to exercise more discernment when evaluating online attacks.
We discuss the outsized impact of the minority, whether they are truly engaged and participating in the process, and how spineless elected officials can send demoralizing signals and messages to their staff.
Sam also shares a secret tip he uses to differentiate himself from the competition when competing for jobs. If you are a public sector executive...2024-08-281h 07City Manager UnfilteredYour City is Doing Social Media Wrong with Sam Toles | Ep. 67Sam Toles is a social media expert having worked for large entertainment companies like Bleacher Report, MGM, and Warner Music, as well as Vimeo. He was also served as an elected councilmember for the California community of Cathedral City.
He is passionate about social media and the public sector, but believes that most communities across the country are doing social media wrong. That is why he launched his new firm, CiviSocial.
In this two part series we are going to discuss why communities are failing, how they can silence the haters, create passionate boosters, and...2024-08-211h 14City Manager UnfilteredHow do we attract more women and minorities to the profession with Amy Farkas | Ep. 66Patton Township Manager Amy Farkas is passionate about recruiting more women and minorities into the profession of city and county management. In this episode, we talk about the importance of "telling a better story" to attract these candidates.
We also discuss her unique approach to dealing with the stresses of the job through her hobby and what benefits she has been able to transfer over into her professional life as a result.
SHOW NOTES:
Amy Farkas' LinkedIn page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a...2024-08-141h 05City Manager UnfilteredMichael Penny believes the AAME can help city managers with performance reviews | Ep 65In the third and final installment of my interview series with Castle Pines City Manager Michael Penny, he shares his views on the recruitment and performance review processes and puts forth the idea that the American Association of Municipal Executives can assist city and county managers by influencing how these events are structured.
Penny argues that candidates currently have little say in the recruitment process and do not have a seat at the table under the current paradigm. And he suggests that performance reviews are too often left open to a myriad of variables that disadvantage the...2024-08-071h 10City Manager UnfilteredWhy does the ICMA credential exist & does it measure competency? | Ep. 64Why did the ICMA create the credentialed manager program and does it measure competency?
We discuss these issues and more in part 2 of my interview series with Castle Pines, Colorado city manager Michael Penny. Penny, who is a founding member of the American Association of Municipal Executives, has also been a member of the ICMA since 1995.
He has been actively involved with the ICMA credentialing process since 2013 and currently serves as the chairman of the ICMA Credentialing Advisory Board.
He believes that the credential does not hold as much value within the profession a...2024-07-311h 27City Manager UnfilteredWhy did 29-year ICMA member Michael Penny join the AAME? | Ep. 63Castle Pines city manager Michael Penny isn't your ordinary ICMA member. He currently serves as the chairman of the ICMA's Credentialing Advisory Board (CAB) and has been a member of the organization since 1995.
So, why did he join the American Association of Municipal Executives as a founding member and how does he see both organizations co-existing?
Penny has also been on both sides of the ICMA executive board election process. He has run for a seat and been denied the nomination and he has been on the panel that interviewed candidates.
He pushes...2024-07-241h 29City Manager UnfilteredThe AAME is Born & Signup Deadline Extended | Ep. 62For a variety of reasons listed in this podcast, the sign up deadline to become a founding member of the American Association of Municipal Executives has been extended.
You have until midnight central on Thursday, July 25th to take action and join this historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
This is the last call -- so sign up here today.
We have the following membership plans:
Executive Suite CEO/CAOs
Executive Suite ACM/DCMs
Aspiring Executives
Retired City Managers (free)
Managers-in-Transition (free)
Go here to sign up: Community.AAME.org
AAME JOB...2024-07-1722 minCity Manager UnfilteredAudio Recording: ICMA Staff Supports AAME | Ep. 61A confidential source sent me an audio recording of ICMA West Coast Regional Director Pat Martel discussing the American Association of Municipal Executives. This discussion took place two weeks ago at the Oregon City/Count Management Association conference..
In this audio clip, Martel states that the ICMA is very much aware of the AAME, that it supports the AAME mission, and that it is perfectly acceptable for ICMA members to join AAME and other organizations.
In this episode, I talk about how many ICMA members who are supportive of my efforts have expressed an unwillingness...2024-07-1034 minCity Manager UnfilteredEp. 60 | ICMA CEO Marc Ott "Retires" & Freed Gets a Trial DateLast week the big news story was the announcement by the ICMA that CEO Marc Ott was retiring to spend more time with family. We also learned that Port Huron City Manager James Freed was given a trial date for his defamation lawsuit against the ICMA.
Coincidence?
These two stories are inextricably linked and are the topic of this week's podcast episode.
SHOW NOTES:
In this podcast I mentioned that Caribou, Maine City Manager Penny Thompson is a founding member of the American Association of Municipal Executives and that she is...2024-07-0340 minCity Manager UnfilteredMarilyn Rivers Just Wanted Her Good Name Back | Ep. 59Marilyn Rivers had a stellar career and an impeccable reputation having served for nearly 20 years as the Director of Risk and Safety for the New York city of Saratoga Springs.
About 18-months away from this 20-year mark where she would be eligible for her pension, a newly elected commissioner set his sights on her to settle an "old score" from fifteen years ago.
Rivers wanted to do this podcast because she never had a chance to defend herself, her record, or address the toxic behavior of this commissioner during the entire ordeal. She told me...2024-06-261h 00City Manager UnfilteredThe Case for Terminating ICMA CEO Marc Ott | Ep. 58ICMA CEO Marc Ott has presided over an organization that is dysfunctional, lacks accountability, and produces mediocre work product.
His permissive and absentee approach to managing employees allowed ethics staffers to prosecute a personal and political vendetta against Port Huron City Manager James Freed -- a stain that will be forever left upon his legacy.
Combined with an international development emphasis that has lacked focus and failed to deliver results, it has been Ott's shepherding of the organization towards the promotion of a leftist political ideology that has alienated many members who simply desire to b...2024-06-2159 minCity Manager UnfilteredScott Jorgensen Rebukes the Oregon City/County Management Association | Ep. 57Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen is no fan of the Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA).
A few years ago, he was the subject of an anonymous ethics complaint without any clear explanation of his alleged offense. About a year later, Jorgensen learned that another city manager had accused him of leaking his listserv comments.
The evidence was a conversation between this city manager and one of his elected officials the city manager had surreptitiously recorded.
Jorgensen maintains that he did not leak the listserv comments and even if he did, he vehemently r...2024-06-191h 09City Manager UnfilteredWhy is Ed Meece excited about the AAME? | Ep. 56We continue our conversation with Polson, Montana city manager Ed Meece in Part 2 of our interview series.
In this episode, Ed talks about:
✅ a new state association for Montana city managers that is not affiliated with the ICMA,
✅ a conversation he had with ICMA CEO Marc Ott and Ray Baray, his chief of staff, and
✅ why he is so excited about the new American Association of Municipal Executives
SHOW NOTES:
Ed Meece's LinkedIn page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipa...2024-06-121h 01City Manager UnfilteredWhy did Ed Meece cancel his ICMA membership after 25 years? | Ep. 55In 2015, city manager Ed Meece did something he never thought he would do. He canceled his International City/County Management Association membership twenty-five years after joining the organization.
What happened?
Meece explains his reasoning in Part 1 of this two-part series.
SHOW NOTES:
Ed Meece's LinkedIn page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe...2024-06-051h 14City Manager UnfilteredBaker Tilly Bombshell in Amarillo City Manager Search | Ep. 54Baker Tilly has been bad -- again.
Recently, yours truly dropped a bombshell about Baker Tilly when he appeared as a guest on the Making Sense with Michael J. talk show in Amarillo, Texas.
We discussed the Amarillo city manager recruitment and the consulting contract Baker Tilly landed to help review their charter.
Host Michael Stevens graciously allowed me to replay the interview on the podcast.
Since the interview aired on May 20th, sources have been feeding me additional information about Baker Tilly and its recruitments. Stay tuned for more coverage i...2024-05-2940 minCity Manager UnfilteredPrivate vs. Public Sector Executive Compensation with Daniel Reilly | Ep. 53Public sector executives need to steal some pages out of the private sector executive playbook when it comes to compensation, benefits, and negotiating contracts.
Attorney Daniel Reilly has extensive experience in negotiating private and public sector executive contracts. Licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we discuss industry norms, tactics, and practices that should be co-opted by city and county managers to secure stronger contracts that will protect them and their families.
This is a "must listen" interview with many gems of wisdom and golden nuggets for executives and aspiring executives to ponder...2024-05-221h 19City Manager UnfilteredICMA's Rigged Executive Board Elections with Graham Mitchell | Ep. 52Unhappy with the current direction of the International City/County Management Association, El Cajon City Manager Graham Mitchell decided to get involved and run for a seat on the executive board.
In previous years when he only saw one name on the ballot for each seat -- he assumed it was due to apathy.
Little did he know that the ICMA establishment created a process whereby they hand-selected the nominee who was all but guaranteed to win because voters would not have another name on the ballot to vote for.
In this episode...2024-05-1555 minCity Manager UnfilteredNo Fluff! Real Culture Change in Durango with Jose Madrigal | Ep. 51A lot of people self-proclaim themselves to be "change agents" or transformational leaders who have changed their department or organization's culture. But a lot of this is fluffy, self-promotion meant to stroke the ego.
How many public sector executives have actual, quantifiable data to support these claims?
Durango, Colorado city manager Jose Madrigal is a truly transformative leader and he has the "receipts" to prove it.
We discuss his professional journey and his choice to become a first-time city manager in a new state. We learn how he was influenced by his dear...2024-05-081h 21City Manager UnfilteredEp. 50 | Introducing the American Association of Municipal ExecutivesOver the last 18 months I have highlighted the plight of city managers and other public sector executives.
I have talked about the pervasive sense of loneliness and isolation that is oftentimes overwhelming. I have lamented the lack of advocacy for managers who watch helplessly as the reputation and career they have spent decades building is sullied and damaged.
When I have criticized the ICMA for sitting on its hands and not coming to the defense of managers, I am chastised by loyalists who steadfastly maintain that it is not the organization's job to defend managers.2024-05-011h 06City Manager UnfilteredDo public comment decorum rules violate the First Amendment with CJ Grisham | Ep. 49Texas attorney CJ Grisham and his client, Jason Followell, were removed from an Aransas Pass city council meeting under the threat of arrest after they both used profane language and violated the rules of decorum during a public comment period.
Since that January incident, Grisham has filed a lawsuit (see link below in the show notes) on behalf of Followell and the Aransas Pass police chief has charged both Grisham and Followell with disrupting the meeting.
In this episode, Grisham and I discuss the First Amendment, the validity of rules of decorum, and whether it...2024-04-241h 36City Manager UnfilteredDeconstructing Taylour Tedder's Groundbreaking Contract with Bradley Ford | Ep. 48Taylour Tedder's groundbreaking contract in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware was the talk of the city management community last week. His contract features a $750,000 home loan that is completely forgivable after 7 years of service.
Bradley Ford, the city manager for Waco, Texas, sat down with me to review and critique this amazing contract. Ford, the foremost expert when it comes to public sector executive compensation, recently formed his own niche consulting business called City Compensation.
We take a deep dive into a contract that will have reverberations throughout the profession in this fascinating and informative episode.
...2024-04-171h 12City Manager UnfilteredTroy Body: Toughest City Manager Job in the Country? | Ep. 47Change my mind: Troy Body has the toughest city manager job in the country!
The Hopkinsville, Kentucky manager also has one of the most unique backgrounds in the profession.
Oh! By the way -- he is the only black manager in the state.
You are going to enjoy this interview as we learn more about why he transitioned into local government and his thoughts on accountability and delivering results at the local level.
SHOW NOTES:
Troy Body (LinkedIn Profile)
CityManagerNews.com
AAME JOB BOARD:
2024-04-1051 minCity Manager UnfilteredLocking Horns Against an Entrenched Police Chief with Theo Melancon | Ep. 46Going to battle against your public safety deparment heads can be extremely perilous for a city manager, especially when you have a politically connected and entrenched police chief.
City Manager Theo Melancon was tasked with doing an operational assessment of the police departmenty by his council.
In Part 2 of my interview series, Theo outlines the process and approach he took to carryout the wishes of his governing body while also being mindful of the political and professional ramifications if he botched it and opened the door for the police chief to outflank him.
...2024-04-031h 15City Manager UnfilteredSurviving a Domestic Violence Arrest with Theo Melancon | Ep. 45City manager Theo Melancon was arrested on a domestic violence charge in January 2022. Unfortunately for him, his predecessor also made controversial headlines surrounding a domestic incident.
In this powerful episode, Melancon gives us a play-by-play recounting of the events that upended his life and nearly ended his career.
We talk about his communication with his elected officials, handling the social media firestorm, and examine how his peers responded and interacted with him once the story broke.
This interview has been broken into two parts.
The planned original discussion about Melancon's battle...2024-03-271h 27City Manager UnfilteredRecruiter Series: Michael Boese of Clear Career Professionals | Ep. 44This is the first installment in my upcoming series of interviews with public sector executive recruiters and recruitment firms.
In this interview with Michael Boese of Clear Carer Professionals, we discuss his firm's "candidate focus" approach that emphasizes consistent and timely communication with prospective candidates.
Near the end of the interview, Boese answers a question posed by a city manager about the importance of ICMA-CM designations and how much they impact the governing body's decision when evaluating candidates.
SHOW NOTES:
Here are the links to:
Michael Boese (LinkedIn Profile)
Clear...2024-03-201h 03City Manager UnfilteredPromoting Black Managers, Mentorship, & Self-Advocacy with Kevin Richardson | Ep. 43Public Works Administrator Kevin Richardson messaged me about a year ago seeking career advice. This inquiry was the genesis of a new friendship and eventual "title change" designed to better reflect the role and responsibilities assigned to him at the City of Rock Hill in South Carolina.
In this episode, we illustrate the benefits of self-advocacy and discuss the importance of mentorship, especially in the context of promoting minorities up the ranks of senior leadership in the public sector.
We also touch on the taboo topic of race and our different perspectives.
SHOW N...2024-03-131h 11City Manager Unfiltered8 Reasons Why Your Cover Letter Sucks | Ep.42The typical cover letter sucks. It literally hurts to read them they are so bad.
But, don't fall for the "fried ice cream" peddled by the private sector recruiters who argue that cover letters are no longer necessary. That is not true.
Every public sector executive competing for a position needs to have a cover letter and this is one of the easiest places elite candidates can differentiate themselves from their competition.
Write a great cover letter that captures the reader's attention and you are going to stand out from the crowd.
...2024-03-0624 minCity Manager UnfilteredFemale Trailblazer's Faith Gets Her Thru Hard Times with Charlotte Colley | Ep. 41On multiple occasions, Charlotte Colley has been the "first female" and trailblazed her away across a 20 year career in the public sector. Being the first female manager can be incredibly challenging and she has experienced some tough days.
In this episode we talk about her public sector executive journey and how her faith in Jesus Christ has given her the strength to endure and persevere. And we talk about how her career has detoured into consulting and whether or not she sees herself re-entering the profession and becoming a city or county manager once again.
...2024-02-281h 03City Manager UnfilteredEp. 40 | The Impending Collapse of Fire/EMS Service in America with Tim NowakConsultant and resident expert Tim Nowak argues that there is an impending collapse of fire/EMS services in America and that there must be a paradigm shift in our thinking with respect to how these vital services are funded.
In this episode, we talk about the causes of the crisis, what it is going to take to fix it, and engage in other general subject matter related topics that have gnawed at me over the years.
For example, do we really need 24-hour shifts and wouldn't taxpayers save money if we moved to 12-hour shifts...2024-02-211h 19City Manager UnfilteredJohn Bariou Wants to Recall Entire City Council Over Strong Mayor | Ep. 39SHOUT OUT SATURDAY (SOS): San Angelo resident John Bariou wants to recall the entire city council because they have violated the charter and undermined the council-manager form of government. The central Texas community of 100,000 people will get an opportunity to "vote the bums out" in just a few short months if Bariou gets his way.
He believes the mayor has violated the charter, run roughshod over the city manager, and injected herself into areas of responsibility that rest with the city manager.
Because of a quirk in the city charter, Bariou only needs to gather...2024-02-1722 minCity Manager UnfilteredUse My Simple Hack to Customize Your Resume for Specific Jobs | Ep. 38It is easy to send a custom resume that is specifically tailored to the job you are applying for if you follow my simple hack. Don't sell yourself short and send the same resume to every job.
Differentiate yourself and demonstrate how you are the solution to their problem by using my system.
When you build a results oriented, custom resume that illustrates how you are the perfect fit for the job, you are going to get more offers and be able to negotiate a higher salary.
SHOW NOTES:
Fill out t...2024-02-1419 minCity Manager UnfilteredIf At First You Don't Succeed, Try Again with Jordan Cook | Ep. 37Jordan Cook didn't even get an interview the first time he tried to land a city administrator gig in Nevada, Iowa. But, on the second go around he not only got an interview -- he got the job.
In this episode we discuss perseverance, mental toughness, and talk about the state of public sector executive recruiting. We also extoll the virtues of the Midwest and talk about how aspiring city managers can turbocharge their career trajectory by exploring small town options.
Jordan Cook's LinkedIn Page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association...2024-02-071h 03City Manager UnfilteredDid Aransas Pass Expose Itself to Public Comment First Amendment Lawsuit? | Ep. 36The Aransas Pass police department recently removed two public speakers from council chambers after they hurled numerous vulgarities and profane language at members of the governing body and city staff.
Did they violate the First Amendment rights of these individuals and expose the taxpayers to a lawsuit?
One of the men booted from the meeting is a civil rights attorney who claims the city did violate his rights and the rights of his clients. I have contacted this attorney and plan to have him on a future episode of the podcast to discuss this issue i...2024-01-3130 minCity Manager UnfilteredSticking Up for Stanley Hawthorne in College Park, GA | Ep. 35City manager Stanley Hawthorne was wrongfully fired with cause by just two members of his governing body. It was amateur night in Georgia on January 16, 2024 when Councilman Joe Carn rushed through this vote over the objections of Mayor Bianca Motley Broom.
In this episode, I breakdown the tape and show how these unprofessional councilmembers voted to silence Hawthorne and prevent him from speaking during his termination. I also reveal how childish they were when none of them accepted the gavel from Mayor Broom so that she could make a public statement from the dais.
Tune in...2024-01-2434 minCity Manager UnfilteredWhy are ICMA Exec. Board Members Dodging FOIA Requests? | Ep. 34A disgruntled ICMA spouse is submitting public information requests across the country and ICMA executive board members are stonewalling and blocking these requests. Why?
In this episode we talk about the increasing levels of scrutiny the ICMA is facing as a result of my podcast and LinkedIn posting. And we also highight various executive board members across the country who are refusing the respond to these FOIA requests or requiring multi-thousand dollar payments in order to gather the information.
SHOW NOTES:
In this episode I talked about my new donation/supporter link. If...2024-01-1739 minCity Manager UnfilteredDisgruntled ICMA Spouse, Crappy Salaries & 2023 Year In Review | Ep. 33A disgruntled spouse of an ICMA member emailed me in December to express their frustration with staff salaries and the luxurious international travel junkets enjoyed by organizational executives and the executive board members.
A city manager vents to me about the crappy salary listed in a job recruitment brochure.
And I take a look back at my LinkedIn and podcast stats for 2023 and compare my performance against that of the ICMA and Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL).
SHOW NOTES:
In this episode I introduced a new donation/supporter link. If you a...2024-01-1052 minCity Manager UnfilteredThreats of Violence Forces Cancellation of City Manager Interview | Ep. 32Former Fort Meade City Manager Jan Bagnall declined to be interviewed for the second part of our interview series after receiving multiple threats since our first interview aired on December 13th, or Episode 29.
On New Year's Day, I received an email from a stranger named Greg King. I would later learn that he was the campaign manager for Jaret Williams, who one his Fort Meade commission race in November.
I was unsure how to proceed and a little concerned based on some of the things Bagnall had shared. However, I was uncomfortable putting just one-side o...2024-01-031h 01City Manager UnfilteredLive Like You Were Dying with Nick Kittle | Ep. 31Nick Kittle is a nationally recognized leader in the field of public sector innovation and author of the book, Sustainovation. At the age of 35, Nick suffered a major health scare and it would become a catalytic moment in his quest to find personal purpose and fulfillment. He would go on to ask himself the following question: "What pays my soul?"
We explore a wide array of topics in this deeply personal and introspective conversation with relevant and applicable lessons for public sector managers seeking to build a more innovative department or organization.
SHOW NOTES:
2023-12-271h 06City Manager UnfilteredEp. 30 | Daniel Rosemond Updates Us on Wrongful Termination LawsuitFormer Hallandale Beach city manager Daniel Rosemond checks-in to update us on his wrongful termination lawsuit. The author of the "Death of the Public Servant" won a massive multi-million dollar judgment and we discussed his story from termination to jury awarded verdict to the appeal filed by the Florida beach community.
Rosemond recently received news from the court that the city's appeal hearing date has been set.
We talk about the upcoming appeal hearing, the support he has received from fellow city managers since appearing on the show, his affordable housing consulting business, and other a...2023-12-2052 minCity Manager UnfilteredFirst-time City Manager Taps Out in Fort Meade, FL (Part 1) | Ep. 29Jan Bagnall enjoyed a long, successful career in the private sector working for electrical utility companies. But the $350,000 salary came at a cost -- 45 weeks of travel per year. Looking for some work-life balance and to ease into retirement, Jan thought municipal utility work would be a new and interesting challenge.
Shortly after becoming the first electrical utility director for the City of Fort Meade, Florida, he would transition and assume the role of city manager. However, his experience was so surreal and traumatic that he would resign a couple of years into his tenure and renounce...2023-12-1359 minCity Manager UnfilteredBecoming a City’s First Ever City Manager with Amanda Mack | Ep. 28When Amanda Mack was tapped to lead the City of Watertown, South Dakota, she didn't just become their first ever female city manager. She became their first ever city manager.
And the manner in which Watertown maneuvered through this process created the foundation for a successful conversion and fruitful marriage between Mack, the governing body, and the community.
The multi-year process culminated in the selection of Mack and though she has enjoyed her experience, there have been some incredible challenges necessitating hard work, passion, and grace.
We talk about her experiences and discuss...2023-12-061h 07City Manager UnfilteredSetting and Enforcing Governing Body Boundaries with John Weidl | Ep. 27Wisconsin City Manager John Weidl's boundaries were crossed by members of his governing body while out on paternity leave. This led him to start searching for another position where he was ultimately named as a finalist for a manager position in a neighboring community.
However, he withdrew from the recruitment and opted to continue serving as the city manager for the City of Whitewater.
We talk about the importance of setting and enforcing boundaries and why he decided to stick it out and work with his governing body to build a stronger, healthier relationship with...2023-11-291h 05City Manager UnfilteredThe 36-hour workweek with Jamie Gwynn | Ep. 26Jamie Gwynn is an innovative leader on the cutting edge of the alternative work schedule debate. He needed to get creative if he was going to be competitive in this tight labor market, especially as he was forced to compete against the high wages offered by local governments in the Philadelphia metroplex.
We examine the New Hanover Township manager's implementation of a 36-hour workweek in a small, but rapidly growing community with a governing body entirely comprised of Republicans.
Coming out of the COVID pandemic, alternative work schedules are a popular topic. And Gwynn may...2023-11-221h 16City Manager UnfilteredBaker Tilly Gets Embarrassed in Deltona, Florida | Ep. 25Baker Tilly "shot its shot" in Deltona, Florida and came up with an air ball. Not only did they lose out to Colin Baenzinger & Associates, some no-name shop outscored them in the final results tally.
But wait until you hear what a couple of the governing body members say on the record.
Yikes!
Listen to find out what involvement I had in this recruitment. I am confident that I had some influence on the final outcome.
Baker Tilly should be on your "no-fly" list if you are a city manager or...2023-11-1515 minCity Manager UnfilteredUnlocking Veteran Benefits for Employers & Family Members with Benjamin Effinger | Ep. 24Benjamin Effinger is a military veteran who transitioned over to the public sector and has quickly become a rising star who has built a reputation as a dynamic problem solver, grinder, and compassionate friend. Effinger currently serves as an Operations Chief overseeing cash management functions in the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector's Office.
In this episode, we discuss the benefits of hiring veterans and unpack the various veterans benefits available to veterans, their family members, and potential employers. We also learn that Benjamin and his wife pursued doctorate degrees at the same time while maintaining...2023-11-081h 04City Manager UnfilteredUsing Creative Financial Incentives to Lure High Quality City Manager Candidates | Ep. 23Mortgage rates have skyrocketed and homeownership is often a liability for city managers given our short life spans and transient nature. Combined with residency requirements and rampant inflation, it can be extremely expensive for city managers to relocate for a new opportunity.
In this episode I discuss some inventive ways local governments can get creative to lure city managers to dump their sub-3% mortgage rates and relocate to a community in an environment where interest rates exceed 8%.
SHOW NOTES:
In this episode, I referenced my guest appearance with the Northeast Government Executives Council...2023-11-0137 minCity Manager UnfilteredBadass Biker Chick Meets Kick-ass Council with Sara McGuffin | Ep. 22A few years back, and only a couple of years into her first town manager gig, Sara McGuffin suffered an accident that nearly ended her life, nevermind her career. In this episode we recount McGuffin's horrific experience and her recovery. We also acknowledge the loyalty and wonderful support provided by the Town of Amherst (VA) mayor and council.
In an age where personal and professional relationships are increasingly disposable, McGuffin's story proves that there are still many who are committed to "doing the right thing."
Now, what if I told you that McGuffin was permanently...2023-10-251h 34City Manager UnfilteredBaker Tilly Hides Dirty Secret from Hutchinson City Manager Candidates | Ep. 21Reports out of Hutchinson, Kansas are that the city council is not happy with the quality of city manager candidates produced by Baker Tilly. On top of that, Baker Tilly is hiding a secret about this position and not informing the candidates it has recruited thus far.
This episode of the podcast will once again illustrate the point that Baker Tilly cannot be trusted by city manager candidates to treat them with respect or to inform them of material facts so that these public sector executives can make educated decisions for themselves and their families
...2023-10-1835 minCity Manager UnfilteredEp. 20 | No Regrets for Forced Out First-Time City Manager with Michael RogersMichael Rogers' career arc was impressive having become a well-respected public sector executive in some of the largest organizations in the nation. He had finally reached his goal of becoming a city manager -- and he was killing it.
He received glowing remarks and a salary increase in his first annual review.
But an election in the City of Tracy, Calif., brought changes to the council composition and within five months he was forced out.
Rogers has no regrets about taking the position, but he does reflect back on what he would have d...2023-10-111h 22City Manager UnfilteredThe Sound of ICMA Silence | Ep. 19The fallout from the James Freed interview is reverberating throughout the city management ecosystem. Hundreds of city managers were talking about the situation during this week's annual ICMA conference in Austin. The story received front page coverage in the Sunday edition of the Port Huron Times Herald.
City managers across the nation are furious that an orchestrated campaign to ruin Freed's career and reputation was perpetrated by the ICMA ethics staff. They are incensed by the notion that obvious conflicts of interest were not mitigated by ICMA CEO Marc Ott and that he allowed Martha Perego and...2023-10-0434 minCity Manager UnfilteredJames Freed vs ICMA: Recording of an Assassination Attempt | Ep. 18Port Huron City Manager James Freed had never been the subject of an ethics complaint. That is until he raised concerns about the social media activities of Martha Perego, the "ethics guru" at the International City/County Management Association.
When he got a call from Perego's subordinate, Jessica Cowles, just a few weeks later, his "Spidey-sense" tingled. He asked to call her back so he could record the conversation.
He would soon find out that Cowles was attempting to investigate him for violating the ICMA Code of Ethics.
I...2023-09-2943 minCity Manager UnfilteredJames Freed vs ICMA: An Orchestrated Campaign to Kill a City Manager’s Career | Ep. 17James Freed sent a polite, professional letter to the ICMA ethics director in 2018. Little did he know that that letter would haunt him for the next five years as rogue staff members from the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA) would wage a campaign to ruin his career, destroy his professional reputation, and deprive him of his ability to feed for his wife and children.
Freed noticed that Martha Perego, the ICMA ethics guru, used the organization's twitter handle @ICMAethics to engage in anti-Republican and anti-conservative political activity. He simply asked her to change her handle or...2023-09-271h 47City Manager UnfilteredBetrayal of the Public Servant with Daniel Rosemond | Ep. 16We discuss the different types of betrayal former Hallandale Beach city manager Daniel Rosemond encountered throughout his ordeal in this third and final installment of our interview series.
We talk about the following:
Self-betrayal by way of our own self-delusions about our relationship and standing with our organizations as city managers
Betrayal by community leaders, friends, and colleagues
Betrayal by members of the governing body
Betrayal by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and other state and local professional associations
You will learn that the Florida League of Cities, an organization that...2023-09-201h 23City Manager UnfilteredStrangers and Angels with Gabe Reaume | Ep. 15Gabe Reaume, a 20-something aspiring city manager harassed by tweakers stealing his laundry moves in with Joan, his best friend's 80-something grandmother. This unlikely duo form a deep bond that would shape and influence him as he became a husband, father, and eventually a city manager.
Reaume recounts this friendship in his book "Strangers & Angels" and documents his rise from Michigan farm boy to become the city manager for Saginaw, Texas, a rapidly growing city of about 25,000 in the burgeoning Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex.
In this memoir filled with beautiful angels and kind strangers, Reaume courageously...2023-09-131h 11City Manager UnfilteredThe Only ChatGPT Course Designed for Public Sector Professionals with Micah Gaudet | Ep. 14Micah Guadet has created the first and only comprehensive course specifically designed to teach public sector professionals how to use ChatGPT to add value to their organization.
"Unlocking ChatGPT for the Public Sector" is designed to take someone with absolutely zero experience and help them become a subject matter expert on ChatGPT within their organization in just a few weekends.
Do you want to be the "go to" ChatGPT expert in your organization?
Do you want to use this powerful technology to stand out and become an indispensible asset?
Do you want absolutely crush it and po...2023-09-0624 minCity Manager UnfilteredRevenge of the Public Servant with Daniel Rosemond | Ep. 12This is Part 2 of my interview series with Daniel Rosemond, the former city manager for the City of Hallandale Beach, Florida. In this episode, we walk through his quest for justice on his way to winning a $4.4 million verdict from a jury.
We examine the challenges of finding legal representation, how the legal system works, and get into the nitty-gritty of lawsuits, settlements, and financial aspects of paying taxes and attorneys who work on a contingency basis.
Rosemond takes us down a road that most city managers will never travel. Don't miss it and don't...2023-08-231h 14City Manager UnfilteredSuicidal City Manager Addresses Mental Health Struggle with Stephen Wade | Ep. 11Topeka City Manager Stephen Wade's battle with depression and mental illness came to a head in June when he attempted suicide. Wade was a "hometown" boy done good and was only about 10 months into his tenure as city manager. After being placed on indefinite leave with pay, he would be shockingly terminated for cause about a month later.
In the aftermath of his dismissal, Wade opted to courageously share his mental health struggles publicly by granting an interview with the Topeka Capital-Journal. After reading that article I contacted Stephen and invited him to be a guest on t...2023-08-161h 18City Manager UnfilteredEp. 10 | Death of the Public Servant with Daniel RosemondDaniel Rosemond suffered a horrific, career-killing termination as city manager for Hallandale Beach, Florida back in 2016. It ruined his reputation, ended his career, and forever altered his view of public service -- to say nothing of the horrendous impact it has had on him and his family psychologically, emotionally, and financially.
In 2022, he was vindicated in court when a jury awarded him a $4.4 million dollar judgment after only deliberating for about an hour. But Rosemond's saga was not over. Hallandale Beach has appealed the judgment and Rosemond's journey now stretches 7 years.
In this 3-part series...2023-08-091h 37City Manager UnfilteredWho will hold Baker Tilly and other recruiters accountable? | Ep. 09Baker Tilly allowed a city manager candidate to be subjected to a computerized voice stress analysis test in Canfield, Ohio. These are supposedly "lie detector" tests, but they are really just pseudo-scientific quackery that often give inaccurate results.
This candidate was smeared and tarnished by Canfield Police Chief Chuck Colucci in the local paper where he was quoted as saying: "Those tests determined he was not the best match for the city at this time."
The obvious implication presented to the public was that the candidate failed the lie detector test.
In this...2023-08-0237 minCity Manager UnfilteredCity of Weed: A Sitcom About City Manager Life with Tim Rundel | Ep. 08City Manager Tim Rundel is the city manager for the City of Weed, California. He is also a documentarian and an artist. He has been working for several years to get a sitcom about a small town city manager produced. Think of a cross between "The Office" and "Parks & Recreation".
The show is called "City of Weed."
A pilot is set to be filmed in the next couple of months and a casting call has been issued. Tim talks us through the development of this show and how it came to fruition.
He a...2023-07-261h 28City Manager UnfilteredChatGPT: Skeptic to Believer in 30 Minutes with John Weidl & Micah Gaudet | Ep. 07Whitewater (WI) City Manager John Weidl was a skeptic about ChatGPT until he listened to Episode No. 4 of the City Manager Unfiltered podcast with Micah Gaudet. He literally created an account and started exploring ChatGPT during that episode and quickly realized the amazing potential and benefits of this technology.
In this podcast, we examine how he and his staff have used ChatGPT in just the last couple of weeks, why he believes his staff eagerly adopted the technology, along with some additional ways public sector executives and aspiring city managers can use ChatGPT to assist in their...2023-07-191h 03City Manager UnfilteredWhat the hell is going on in Canfield, Ohio? | Ep. 06The city manager search in Canfield, Ohio raises a lot of questions that must be answered by public sector recruitment firm Baker Tilly.
This is the first recruitment I am aware of where a city manager candidate was subjected to the pseudoscientific quackery of computerized voice stress analysis. It appears to have been at the direction of Canfield Police Chief Chuck Calucci. However, Calucci stated in newspaper articles that Baker Tilly would be the one responsible for the background checks.
I believe Baker Tilly needs to terminate this contract, extricate itself from the situation, and...2023-07-1238 minCity Manager UnfilteredHow to Save Money on Your Next Trash Hauling Contract | Ep. 05Trash hauling rates are skyrocketing across the country, but there are ways you can save your residents money by utilizing a private sector mentality as a public sector executive. In this episode, we discuss what it means to have a private sector mentality, how to acquire one if you do not have one, and ultimately, how to create an environment that promotes competition so that your residents pay less for trash services.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government...2023-07-0536 minCity Manager UnfilteredMicah Gaudet: Level Up & Use ChatGPT in the Public Sector Today | Ep. 04Micah Gaudet is a deputy city manager for the City of Maricopa (pop. 63,000) overseeing all public safety operations. Maricopa is the second fastest growing city in Arizona and the 12th fastest growing city in the United States.
Micah has quickly carved out a niche as one of the leading voices on the usage of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence in the public sector. In this episode, he provides real world examples on how you can use this incredible technology to immediately add value in the workplace and put your career trajectory on a rocketship! No fluff or theory...2023-06-2854 minCity Manager UnfilteredWhy Cities Should Pay for Spouses to Travel on Job Interviews | Ep. 03City and county governments expect their newly hired manager to be "all-in" and make a significant investment in their community. This often includes a residency requirement as a condition of acceptance. Yet, many employers refuse to pay the travel expenses of the candidate's spouse during the recruitment process.
Host Joe Turner recounts a recent recruitment experience where his wife's travel expenses were not reimbursed and he articulates why he believes local governments should happily pay for a candidate's spouse to travel to the interview.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives...2023-06-2120 minCity Manager UnfilteredThe Most Important Objective During Contract Negotiations | Ep. 02Getting the job offer is exciting, but you can't let emotions get in the way of negotiating a great contract for you and your family. In this episode, I talk about the different types of risks we face as city managers and public sector executives.
I also discuss why we have contracts, the most important contract provision, and articulate what I believe to be the most important objective for every city manager during contract negotiations.
Show Notes:
Copy of former El Paso City Manager Tommy Gonzalez' Contract
AAME JOB BOARD:
2023-06-1439 minCity Manager UnfilteredYou Are Not Alone | Ep. 01Being a city manager can be a tough, lonely job. But, I am here to tell you that you are not alone and that there is an entire community of professionals that want to help you succeed.
In this episode, I lay out my three primary objectives for this podcast: (1) build a community for ambitious city managers and public sector executives, (2) help you with your personal and professional development, and (3) create an advocacy/crisis response mechanism so that we can help protect and preserve the reputations of city managers who are being unprofessionally targeted and fired.
2023-06-1426 minCity Manager UnfilteredCity Manager Unfiltered Trailer #1Listen up, fellow city managers! We're taking a beating. We’re getting fired faster than ever – often in humiliating fashion. And frankly, I am sick and tired of it.
I am Joe Turner, the host of City Manager Unfiltered, a new podcast coming soon. City Manager Unfiltered is created by a city manager, for city managers.
Nobody is out there fighting for us! We’re on an island all by ourselves.
If you are an ambitious city manager or public sector executive looking to level-up your career, check out my podcast: City Manager Unfilte...2023-05-1201 min
Oral ArgumentEpisode 13: A Special Place in Hell for JoeOur guest, Dave Hoffman, writes about everything and helped to found one of the premier legal blogs, Concurring Opinions. We talk about the role of legal blogs in the public sphere and for the academy. And speaking of writing, what’s wrong with legal scholarship? What should we be doing, and how can the forms of writing, the fora for writing, and the expectations for scholars help or hinder that? Also, too, the return to the show of speed trap law and whether Joe satisfies the basic norms of civility.
This show’s links:
David Hoffman’s bio...2014-03-211h 01Oral ArgumentEpisode 1: Send Joe to PrisonThe real first episode of Oral Argument doesn’t hold back. Prof. Sonja West joins us to talk about the the press, the First Amendment, and other cool things. We discuss Supreme Court justices’ getting to talk about whatever they want, the Press Clause, the religion clauses (and even the quartering clause), Judith Miller and the Iraq War, peyote, bathrobed bloggers, the Twitter, who the press might be, Sonja’s press test, press access to prisons, why Joe should got to prison, religious and secular orthodoxy, bong hits for Jesus, student newspapers and local versions of the controversies over the Wa...2013-12-281h 21