July 26, 2021
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) – Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher has announced his retirement, the City of Phoenix confirmed Monday afternoon. Zuercher plans to end his nearly three decades with the City of Phoenix effective Oct. 8.
Zuercher has been Phoenix’s city manager since 2013, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city for the mayor and City Council. As the Phoenix’s chief administrative officer, he bridges the divide between politics and administration, and manages the City’s nearly 15,000 employees. When Zuercher was appointed city manager, Phoenix was looking at a $37 million budget deficit, a City spokesperson said. He leaves it with a $30 million surplus.
According to the City of Phoenix, Zuercher started as a management intern in 1993. He went on to serve in several roles, including public transit director, deputy city manager, chief of staff to the mayor, and assistant city manager.
“As city manager, I have worked hard to place the city on a sound financial footing, to build a strong bench of leaders and employees, and to further sustainable economic growth in the city that I love,” Zuercher said in a news release. “I believe these goals have been advanced significantly in my eight years of service as city manager, and so it is now time for me to move forward.”
Zuercher did not elaborate on what moving forward looks like for him.
It will be up to Mayor Kate Gallego and City Council to appoint a new city manager.