By Phil Riske | Managing Editor | Rose Law Group Reporter
The Scottsdale City Council on Wednesday selected Fritz Behring to be the new city manager. Behring has been Pinal County’s manager for three years and also has been city manager in two Florida cities and one in Nebraska.
Pinal County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Miller said it’s “unfortunate for Pinal County” to lose Behring. “Hopefully we don’t lose any ground for all the good he has done for Pinal County and how he has cleaned our operation up.”
Rose Law Group Reporter spoke with Behring this afternoon. He stressed the job of being a city manager is not one of making policy, rather to ensure a city operates efficiently
(Edited only for clarity and length)
Given your accomplishments in ridding Pinal County of cronyism, was that subject brought up in your interviews, or have you heard any talk about such a situation in Scottsdale?
No, it did not come up in my interviews. It did not seem to be a topic that was brought to my attention.
What was your most challenging issue in management so far?
In my last two positions, working to change the organizational culture here in Pinal County and in Clay County in Florida. Organizations don’t behave and change overnight. It takes time and effort and sometimes years to get people to think differently in the organization, and that’s really the biggest challenge I’ve had.
Scottsdale has had several city managers lately in somewhat rapid succession. What does that mean to you and how did it impact your decision to pursue this job?
In my understanding of those positions and how those people lost their jobs, it doesn’t scare me, it doesn’t concern me that I think I’ll be the next to go type of a thing. There was a lack of straightforward communications between the managers and the council, and that’s not going to be a problem for me. I don’t think I’ll get myself in such a position; I just don’t see that.
After working with you in Pinal County so extensively Rose Law Group knows your style well: You like to strongly implement a direction given to you by your elected bosses. Early on, what do you think you are going to be asked to get moving on in Scottsdale?
I really don’t know. They’re concerned about the manager taking care of the day-to-day operations and to not interfere with the policy-making discussions. My responsibility is to make sure the day-to-day operations run fine and work well. The council should be debating policy positions. There’s obviously some policy differences up there: the no-growth people versus growth people.
My job is to make sure they get the proper information to make decisions, but I won’t be taking sides or playing favorites in those debates. And I made that perfectly clear it’s not my role.
They [council members] have the same goal in mind . . . [They told me] what they’re passionate about.
What are you passionate about?
Good, cost-effective local government. I’m a firm believe the public expects good services. Our job is to deliver them as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible. I don’t believe in waste, and whether your spending $100,000 or millions of dollars, you better spend it wisely. I’m very passionate about that. It doesn’t mean I’m afraid to spend money, but I’m afraid to waste money.
One of Scottsdale’s most popular destinations has been its downtown restaurant and bar scene in and around its designated Entertainment District. An apparently small number of nearby residents have made the operation of the establishments in this area into a fairly high profile issue in the city. What have you heard about this issue and what are your initial impressions of a way forward to keep commerce and tourism thriving?
I do know Scottsdale has a thriving downtown area, but I have not heard a lot about the concerns of the neighboring residents. I can assume the same type of concerns people have in other jurisdictions . . .
Favorite Scottsdale restaurant so far?
(Laughs) An Italian place on Scottsdale Blvd., but I can’t think of the name of it. It’s not Amy’s Bakery
Have you found a place to live in Scottsdale yet, and when do you intend to move?
No, not yet. I have six months to move into the city, and my plan is to move as quickly as possible. I don’t think housing prices are going to go down in the future.
(Editor’s note: I have a hunch it is Veneto Trattoria as I have actually had more than a few lunches there with Fritz, said Rose Law Group co-founder Jordan Rose.)
One last question: What do you do for fun?
I like to hike, bicycling, walking, when weather permits. I like music and I’m a big college football fan.
