Chandler City Manager Resigns, New Role Awaits

Categories: Arizona Business NewsArizona State News

The Chandler skyline signifies a new beginning in city leadership.

News Summary

Chandler City Manager Josh Wright has announced his resignation, effective August 1. After nearly four years in office, he will take on a new role at the University of Arizona. Wright’s departure marks a crucial transition for the city as officials begin searching for a replacement. Known for enhancing operational accountability and transparency, he leaves behind a legacy of cost-saving initiatives and high resident satisfaction ratings. The city council will now navigate this leadership change and aim to sustain the high standards established during Wright’s tenure.

Arizona – Chandler City Manager Josh Wright announced his resignation, effective August 1, after nearly four years in the position. Wright disclosed his decision on May 29 and will take on a new role as the chief facilities and planning officer at the University of Arizona. His departure marks a significant transition for the city government as officials now work to find a replacement.

Wright has strong ties to the University of Arizona, being a Chandler native and an alumnus of the institution. He began his career in Chandler’s government in 2017 as an assistant city manager after serving for a decade in Wickenburg and the Town of Marana. In 2021, he was appointed city manager and took significant steps to enhance the city’s operational accountability and transparency.

During his tenure, the city of Chandler received consistently high ratings from residents concerning quality of life, low taxes, and affordable utilities. As city manager, Wright initiated several projects that led to substantial cost savings for the city. Notably, his strategies included transitioning city lights to LED technology and implementing solar panels on municipal buildings, which collectively saved the city approximately $10 million annually. Under his guidance, Chandler also recorded the lowest average costs for essential services among eight Valley cities.

Wright’s achievements included the introduction of an online dashboard, which provides metrics to grade Chandler’s service delivery to residents. His initial salary as city manager was $277,056 annually, with plans for an increase to $374,567 starting July 1. However, Wright’s decision to resign followed a recent city council meeting where he faced criticism over compliance issues related to the city’s charter.

Despite these challenges, council members recognized Wright’s contributions during his time in office. Councilman O.D. Harris highlighted that the resignation was Wright’s own decision, expressing support for the work he has accomplished for the city.

With Wright’s departure on the horizon, the city council has begun the process of searching for his replacement. The transition period is anticipated to be a critical time for Chandler as it navigates the complexities of finding a new leader who can build on the initiatives Wright established.

Wright’s resignation comes at a time when the city’s leadership has garnered attention for its approach to governance and public service delivery. His contributions to enhancing transparency initiatives and focusing on cost efficiency have been noted as significant factors leading to Chandler’s high resident satisfaction ratings.

The city of Chandler is planning to carry on Wright’s vision for the city while aiming to maintain its reputation for quality services and appealing living conditions. As the search for a new city manager begins, Chandler residents will be closely watching how city officials manage this transition and what future direction they will take.

The anticipated change in leadership will be an important development for the local government, as it will shape how the city responds to various challenges and opportunities in the coming months.