Two weeks ago, I drove across the country to turn myself in on an arrest warrant out of Walton County, Florida. I am facing two third degree felony charges related to carrying out my duties as the assistant county administrator.
Though I am innocent until proven guilty and I am confident that I will prevail in court -- I also recognize that in the court of public opinion one is often seen as guilty until proven innocent.
As someone who prides himself on being transparent and unafraid of facing difficult circumstances and challenges head on -- I wanted to give those who follow me more information and greater context about the circumstances that have brought me and my former boss, who is also facing the same charges, to this point in time.
Make no mistake -- we were two outsiders who posed as an existential threat to the status quo in Walton County. 
In December 2023, we blew the whistle and asked the Walton County Sheriff's Office to investigate various matters.
Unfortunately, the justice system has been weaponized against us and we are now the victims of political lawfare.
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.
 

After a lengthy and successful career in law enforcement where he served as the police chief for the fastest growing community in Kansas, Matt Jensby had a desire to become a city manager and serve the public in a different way. In this episode, Matt talks about this transition and becoming the city manager for Kechi, a small community north of Wichita.
He explains the significant differences between being a department head versus the leader of an entire organization and how much of an eye-opening experience it has been for him in his first year as a new city manager.
SHOW NOTES
Matt Jensby's LinkedIn Profile
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.
 

Caldwell County Manager Donald Duncan and his team were about as prepared as one could be for a natural disaster the size and scope of Hurricane Helene. But even still -- there were lessons to be learned and shared in the aftermath of this storm.
In Part 2 of this series, Donald talks about the personal toll this disaster had on him and his staff. We talked about survivors' guilt and how total destruction of the landscape and physical landmarks can cause mass societal depression. We also talked about the multitude of lessons he learned not just in how to respond to a natural disaster but how to lead his team.
He has also provided us with a checklist for you and your team to review.
I guarantee you will come away with some nuggets of wisdom from the final installment of this two-part series and that you will be able to go back to your team and better prepare for your next natural or man-made disaster. If you have the misfortune of sharing Donald's fate -- you will be exposed to both.
SHOW NOTES
Donald Duncan's LinkedIn page and link to his disaster preparedness checklist.
Founding members of the AAME have exclusive, first priority rights to sign up for the first annual conference. 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.
 

Caldwell County Manager Donald Duncan and his team were about as prepared as one could be for a natural disaster the size and scope of Hurricane Helene. But even still -- there were lessons to be learned and shared in the aftermath of this storm.
In this riveting  interview series, Donald gives us a rundown of the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to disaster response and preparedness. He has also provided us with a checklist for you and your team to review.
I guarantee you will come away with some nuggets of wisdom from this two-part series and that you will be able to go back to your team and better prepare for your next natural or man-made disaster. If you have the misfortune of sharing Donald's fate -- you will be exposed to both.
SHOW NOTES
Donald Duncan's LinkedIn page and link to his disaster preparedness checklist.
Founding members of the AAME have exclusive, first priority rights to sign up for the first annual conference. 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.
 

In Illinois, Freeport City Manager Rob Boyer recently faced down a citizen's petition to move away from the council-manager form of government and revert back to the strong mayor form.
Reeling from mismanagement and economic decline, Freeport abandoned the strong mayor form of government about a decade ago. Since that time, Rob and his two predecessors have done great work to turn the community around. In this episode, we discuss many of his and their accomplishments and how the residents and taxpayers are better off today.
But, a recent effort that appears to be tinged with political motivations sought to undo this progress and return Freeport back to the "old way" of doing business and rewarding political allies. Never underestimate the machinations that may take place behind the scenes when someone sees an avenue to create a full-time six figure job for themselves...
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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.