Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher announces retirement

PHOENIX — Ed Zuercher said Monday he is retiring as Phoenix city manager after eight years as the top unelected official in Arizona’s largest city.

“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 press 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.”

Phoenix had a $37 million deficit when Zuercher was appointed as city manager in 2013, according to the release, and now has a $30 million budget surplus.

Zuercher joined the city government as a management intern in 1993 and served in a variety of roles over his 28-year career. His retirement is effective Oct. 8.

Phoenix, with nearly 15,000 employees, is the largest city in the country with a council-manager form of government, according to the release.

The mayor and city council will direct the process of hiring Zuercher’s replacement.

Phoenix’s city manager oversees the city’s auditor, finance, communications, law and government relations departments.

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