Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher Names Jeff Barton Assistant City Manager, Leading the Coronavirus Response, Overseeing Police And Fire

Phoenix AZ

10 February, 2021

3:01 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Phoenix: February 8, 2021 Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher has named Jeff Barton as the city's Assistant City Manager, the number two position in the City Manager's Office, leading the city's COVID-19 response and overseeing the Police, Fire and Budget and Research departments, among others, in the fifth largest city in the nation, with more than 14,000 employees. "Jeff led the strategic distribution of $293.3 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to support residents and businesses impacted by COVID-19, while ensuring public safety and other critical city services remained fully funded," said Zuercher. "His knowledge of the city's budget process, public safety operations, strategic use of data, and leadership skills will be an asset to the city and our residents in his new role, as we navigate this current phase of COVID, and beyond. "Most recently, Barton served as Deputy City Manager, overseeing the Budget & Research, Community and Economic Development, Fire and Library departments and the Youth and Education Office. Prior to this, he served for five years as director of the city's Budget & Research Department, where he was responsible for the planning, forecasting, and managing of the city's $4.4 billion operating budget and $7 billion five-year capital improvement program. During Barton's tenure, the department implemented a new five-year forecasting and modeling of expenses and revenues process to better plan for future funding needs, while providing early forecasts of potential budgetary challenges. "I started my career with the city as an auditor 22 years ago, ensuring the operational efficiency of city departments and programs – and I continue to utilize the skills I gained to this day," said Barton. "I am humbled by this new challenge and look forward to continuing to focus my efforts on ensuring that the city's budget is sound, our departments and programs are resilient, and our communities are safe places for all. "Barton holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Morehouse College and a Master of Public Administration from Shippensburg University. This press release was produced by the City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author's own.