Photo of Scott Butler Via City of Mesa
By Cecilia Chan | East Valley Tribune
Council members unanimously agreed to recruit its next top administrator internally with an eye on the assistant city manager, signaling that they think Mesa is on the right path moving forward.
City Manager Chris Brady, who is retiring May 31 after 19 years at the helm, presented three options for council to consider at last week’s study session: contract with a national search firm, let the Human Resources department conduct the search or hire internally through appointment. The city in the past has used all three processes.
“We do have at least one very good internal candidate,” said Councilwoman Jenn Duff, who led off the Feb. 13 discussion. “I think it’s important for someone who knows – given that we have a lot of changes right now, anticipate more from what’s going to happen in politics at the federal level – someone who understands our city, our culture, our history, the people internally, externally, who Mesa is and can lead those people and have the respect of the departments and instill confidence to go forward especially with our public safety, which is two-thirds of our budget.
“It’s a critical part of what we do as a city is our public safety and I know it’s No. 1 for our residents to have a safe city.”
The heir apparent, Assistant City Manager Scott Butler, was appointed to his current position in 2022 by Brady.
