City Manager Unfiltered

City Manager: Unfiltered is a podcast by a city manager for city managers. I am your host, Joe Turner, and I’m on a mission to build a community for ambitious city managers. I want to provide you with the career tools and resources to help make you a better executive so you can rack up victories, polish your resume, dominate interviews, land your dream job, and win your contract negotiations. If you are a city manager looking to level up, check out my podcast, City Manager: Unfiltered. Hit that subscribe button today so you don’t miss an episode.
Episodes
Episodes



Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Setting and Enforcing Governing Body Boundaries with John Weidl | Ep. 27
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wisconsin 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 them in this powerful episode.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
The 36-hour workweek with Jamie Gwynn | Ep. 26
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Jamie 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 be the very first in the nation to implement such a schedule.
He is passionate about this subject and encourages other managers to reach out to him with any questions. I have included a link to his LinkedIn profile below.
SHOW NOTES:
Jamie Gwynn's LinkedIn Profile
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Baker Tilly Gets Embarrassed in Deltona, Florida | Ep. 25
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Baker 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 a member of a governing body evaluating recruitment firms.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Benjamin 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 full-time positions and raising a family.
Outside of these responsibilities and obligations, Effinger is passionate about male mental health issues and has assumed a leadership and ambassador role for the Heare Brotherhood -- an organization dedicated to building brotherhood and community where men are seen, heard, and loved.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Mortgage 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 (NEGEC). You can watch my interview replay here.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Badass Biker Chick Meets Kick-ass Council with Sara McGuffin | Ep. 22
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
A 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 disabled as a result of this accident? Know this -- that accident did not rob her of her faith in God, her fellow man, or steal away her infectious optimism and all-around badassery!
McGuffin marks the first interview of a female manager on the City Manager Unfiltered podcast. And she does not disappoint. You will not want to miss this one!
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Baker Tilly Hides Dirty Secret from Hutchinson City Manager Candidates | Ep. 21
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Reports 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.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
No Regrets for Forced Out First-Time City Manager with Michael Rogers | Ep. 20
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Michael 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 done differently in this insightful discussion. He owns his mistakes while minimizing his unfortunate treatment and de-emphasizing the Machiavellian "palace intrigue" that led to his ouster.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Joe Turner
Born and raised in Southern California, Joe Turner moved to Kansas in 2018 to pursue a career in city management after spending many years working for elected officials and engaged in grassroots advocacy.
As a non-traditional entrant into the field, he brings a unique perspective on city management and local government issues.
However, it has been his ruminations on the evolving professional landscape for city managers and his opinions on contract negotiations and compensation packages that has propelled him to the forefront as a thought leader and influencer amongst peers.
Turner has lamented the lack of advocacy on behalf of city managers as professionals and believes there is a void in this space with respect to advocating for and on behalf of public sector managers, not just the profession of city management.
You can catch up with him over on Linkedin.