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No 'Typical Day' For Dayton City Manager

Dayton city officials are searching for a new city manager. Current manager Tim Riordan announced his resignation this fall.
City of Dayton Website: Jim Witmer/Dayton Daily News

Dayton is searching for a new city manager, and taking public input this month on what residents want from a manager. This job, unlike the mayor, isn’t an elected position.

So what exactly does a city manager do?

Current manager Tim Riordan is basically Dayton’s chief executive. Elected officials—mainly the city commissioners—mull over proposals, pass them and then task Riordan with actually carrying them out. But he also lobbies lawmakers in the statehouse and takes part in union negotiations. And he says that’s not all.

 

“We talked to some of the departments about some personnel issues; frequently do that. And just some operational issues,” Riordan said. “We’re working on a deal with the racino as to how our golf courses can do a better job working with the racino.”

 

Riordan says there is no such thing as a “typical day” for him. But he has to bridge the gap between politics, economics and customer service. And he says whomever the city commission selects to run Dayton will have their work cut out for them—especially when it comes to the budget. The city is tapping into its reserves again this year.

 

Commissioners expect to start interviewing candidates in a few weeks and choose a manager by the end of December. Riordan moves on Jan. 31.

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