Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
Rob Boyer Faced Petition to Adopt Strong Mayor Form of Government | Ep. 94
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 Feb 05, 2025
What Does AAME Advocacy for City Managers Look Like? | Ep. 93
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
City managers deserve to have a professional association that will fight for them and help communicate their narrative in an environment where the deck is usually stacked against them.
In this week's episode I wanted to unpack some various advocacy efforts the American Association of Municipal Executives is currently engaged in on behalf of city managers. Not only are we engaged in direct advocacy on behalf of individuals, but we are also working to educate the public so that they have a better understanding of the perspectives and concerns city managers must weigh when determining whether to apply for a position.
SHOW NOTES
Founding members of the AAME have exclusive, first priority rights to sign up for the first annual conference until February 14th. Seating is extremely limited with only 150 seats available.The conference is being held in El Cajon, California from June 25-27th. Please sign up and register in the AAME community.After the 14th, it will be opened up to anyone who wants to attend. AAME will be re-opening membership very soon. If you would like to get on the wait list you are encouraged to go to this link and sign up today: https://app.youform.com/forms/f9ulo0uh
EPISODE SPONSOR:
This episode is sponsored by Holbrook Asphalt.
Maintaining your roads is one of the most difficult tasks for any city government. The good news is the secret to making it easier is only 3 letters: H-A-5.
HA5 extends the life of roads and reduces the financial burden on taxpayers. HA5 is an innovative pavement preservation treatment trusted by over 300 public agencies. It keeps good roads in good condition, reducing repair costs and saving taxpayer dollars.
Join the hundreds of other cities making the smart choice. Choose HA5 for longer-lasting roads and a healthier budget.
Learn more at holbrookasphalt.com/city.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
James Freed: Life After Victory Over ICMA | Ep. 92
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Last September after mounting pressure, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) finally capitulated and settled the James Freed lawsuit a month before it was scheduled to go to trial. In this episode, we catch up with the Port Huron, Michigan city manager and see what life is like after his huge victory.
Hint: Lots of vacations with the wife. ROTFLMAO!
We also discuss the failures of his state association, the Michigan Municipal Executives, and discuss the feelings of abandonment and gaslighting he endured throughout this process. He shares how his faith and a supportive wife got him through the dark days and the numerous battles he has faced over the last seven years.
We also talk about the state of the city management profession and the challenges facing managers in Michigan.
SHOW NOTES
Link to James Freed's LinkedIn page and his municipal consulting company, Pivot Group Municipal Services
EPISODE SPONSOR:
This episode is sponsored by Holbrook Asphalt.
Maintaining your roads is one of the most difficult tasks for any city government. The good news is the secret to making it easier is only 3 letters: H-A-5.
HA5 extends the life of roads and reduces the financial burden on taxpayers. HA5 is an innovative pavement preservation treatment trusted by over 300 public agencies. It keeps good roads in good condition, reducing repair costs and saving taxpayer dollars.
Join the hundreds of other cities making the smart choice. Choose HA5 for longer-lasting roads and a healthier budget.
Learn more at holbrookasphalt.com/city.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Jeff Cantrell: Blindsided by Separation Due to Weak Contract | Ep. 91
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
When Jeff Cantrell uprooted his family and relocated for a city manager job in central Kansas, he never dreamed it would all come to an end two short years later. He was leaving Chanute (pop. 10,000), a Southeast Kansas town, for Hutchinson (pop. of 40,000) and replacing a well-respected manager who was retiring after holding the seat for 17 years.
It seemed like a no-brainer next step in the progression of Jeff's career.
In this interview, we talk about how his poorly constructed contract allowed him to get blindsided by his separation. And we talk about how it is difficult to jump back on the horse and find a new gig when you have a child in high school.
EPISODE SPONSOR:
This episode is sponsored by Holbrook Asphalt.
Maintaining your roads is one of the most difficult tasks for any city government. The good news is the secret to making it easier is only 3 letters: H-A-5.
HA5 extends the life of roads and reduces the financial burden on taxpayers. HA5 is an innovative pavement preservation treatment trusted by over 300 public agencies. It keeps good roads in good condition, reducing repair costs and saving taxpayer dollars.
Join the hundreds of other cities making the smart choice. Choose HA5 for longer-lasting roads and a healthier budget.
Learn more at holbrookasphalt.com/city.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Ep. 90 | Economic Development the Right Way with Kevin Phelps
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
City Manager Kevin Phelps and his team in Glendale, Arizona have put on a clinic when it comes to leveraging economic development. Since his arrival in 2016, the city has figuratively backed up the Brinks truck and filled their bank accounts with cash.
Residents pay lower property taxes per unit of valuation today than they did when he took over. And the number of employees in Glendale today is lower than a decade or so ago.
In this episode, we talk about Kevin's philosophical and practical approach to economic development and how his team has become so dominant in their ability to attract businesses seeking to relocate.
SHOW NOTES:
Kevin Phelp's LinkedIn page
EPISODE SPONSOR:
This episode is sponsored by Holbrook Asphalt.
Maintaining your roads is one of the most difficult tasks for any city government. The good news is the secret to making it easier is only 3 letters: H-A-5.
HA5 extends the life of roads and reduces the financial burden on taxpayers. HA5 is an innovative pavement preservation treatment trusted by over 300 public agencies. It keeps good roads in good condition, reducing repair costs and saving taxpayer dollars.
Join the hundreds of other cities making the smart choice. Choose HA5 for longer-lasting roads and a healthier budget.
Learn more at holbrookasphalt.com/city.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
City Detect is Revolutionizing Code Enforcement with AI | Ep. 89
Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Join Gavin Baum-Blake, Co-founder and CEO of City Detect, on City Manager Unfiltered, where he discusses how AI and computer vision technology are revolutionizing urban management.
With a background as a US Army veteran, an attorney, and an entrepreneur, Gavin brings a unique perspective to the ethical application of cutting-edge technology in tackling urban challenges like blight, housing decay, and illegal dumping.
Discover how his leadership is shaping smarter, safer, and more sustainable cities. Tune in to learn how local leaders can harness data-driven insights to transform their communities. #sponsored
SHOW NOTES:
City Detect website: https://citydetect.com/
Gavin Baum-Blake: LinkedIn Page
EPISODE SPONSOR:
Disclaimer: Promotional consideration was paid by City Detect to appear on this podcast.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Joe Turner Interviewed by Yucaipa City Manager Chris Mann | Ep. 88
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Yucaipa City Manager Chris Mann invited yours truly, and Calimesa City Manager Will Kolbow, to sit down for an interview on the Yucaipa 360 podcast.
The three of us discussed a variety of issues and subjects related to the city management profession and local government.
This episode is a rebroadcast of that interview for my audience of listeners.
Chris and his team in Yucaipa are really raising the bar when it comes to local government communications and the dissemination of information through the podcast and YouTube channel. If you have been thinking about starting a podcast or something similar for your community, I would invite you to check out what Yucaipa is doing to draw some inspiration and to get those competitive juices flowing.
Note that Will also produces a podcast for his community and you can find links to both below.
SHOW NOTES:
Chris Mann's LinkedIn Page
Link to the Yucaipa 360 podcast's YouTube page
Will Kolbow's LinkedIn Page
Link to Calimesa Insider podcast
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
The Shared Administrator Experiment in Connecticut | Ep. 87
Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Three small towns in Connecticut are seeking to share an administrator -- the first time that something like this has ever been attempted according to the organization conducting the recruitment.
Joining me on the podcast to discuss this innovative approach is Alex Torpey from the Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
This shared administrator will be tasked with helping the cities of Canterbury, Chaplin, and Pomfret while technically being employed by the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG).
Canterbury (pop. 5,000) - Budget of $15,000,000
Chaplin (pop. 2,200) - Budget of $9,500,000
Pomfret (pop. 4,300) - Budget of $14,000,000
As the demand for public services exceeds revenues and the complexity of local government increases, is it inevitable that consolidation will become more common as jurisdictions seek to walk the financial tightrope?
We explore this fascinating recruitment in this episode.
SHOW NOTES:
Alex Torpey's LinkedIn Page and email address: alex.torpey@umb.edu
Link to Recruitment Brochure and email address for the Edward J. Collins Center: CollinsCenterRecruit@umb.edu
EPISODE SPONSOR:
This episode is sponsored by Holbrook Asphalt.
Maintaining your roads is one of the most difficult tasks for any city government. The good news is the secret to making it easier is only 3 letters: H-A-5.
HA5 extends the life of roads and reduces the financial burden on taxpayers. HA5 is an innovative pavement preservation treatment trusted by over 300 public agencies. It keeps good roads in good condition, reducing repair costs and saving taxpayer dollars.
Join the hundreds of other cities making the smart choice. Choose HA5 for longer-lasting roads and a healthier budget.
Learn more at holbrookasphalt.com/city.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Friday Dec 20, 2024
City Manager Wanted: Columbia Falls, Montana | Ep. 86
Friday Dec 20, 2024
Friday Dec 20, 2024
Stale, boring recruitment brochures are played out and offer little value for candidates seeking their next city or county manager opportunity. Many of them contain boiler plate language or rehash text used in a previous announcement for a different community.
Isn't it time we re-imagine what a public sector executive recruitment should look like?
City managers are in an incredibly risky and volatile line of work. Resignations and terminations hurt their spouse and children.They can be financially devastating and destroy a person's confidence.
Isn't it time we start thinking more about the candidates and try to provide them with actionable information so that they can do a better job of ascertaining whether they believe they are a good fit for that community and governing body?
I want to introduce you to a new series of podcast episodes called: "City Manager Wanted"
This is where I interview key individuals involved in the recruitment process with the goal of providing a more detailed and comprehensive examination of the opportunity. City management is a "people business."
So, doesn't it make sense to try and get a better understanding of the people these candidates will work with?
In this episode, we examine the opportunity in beautiful Columbia Falls, Montana. I spoke with the following people:
Michael Boese of Clear Career Professionals
Mark Shrives, Interim City Manager
Don Barnhart, Mayor
I hope you enjoy it and find the conversation beneficial to your job search.
SHOW NOTES:
Recruitment conducted by Michael Boese of Clear Career Professionals
COMING SOON - Link to job listing: https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities/
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
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
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
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.