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Phoenix council votes 5-4 to hire Ed Zuercher as city manager amid sharp public debate
Summary
After extensive public comment and a divided council, Phoenix approved an employment agreement to reappoint former city manager Ed Zuercher in a 5-4 vote. The decision followed hours of testimony about policing reforms, hiring process transparency and city labor relations.
Ed Zuercher will return as Phoenix city manager after the City Council approved an employment agreement in a 5-4 vote on Sept. 17, 2025, following hours of public comment and council debate. Vice Mayor O'Brien moved to enter the employment agreement; the motion passed after a roll call vote.
Council members and dozens of public speakers framed the item as a choice between continuity and a more open hiring process. Supporters from business groups, transit advocates and labor unions said Zuercher’s experience would provide stability as the city navigates executive turnover and economic uncertainty. Opponents — including community organizers, residents and council members — said the rehiring was rushed, excluded community and staff input, and raised concerns tied to events during Zuercher’s prior tenure, including a Department of Justice investigation into Phoenix Police Department practices.
Why it matters: The city manager runs day-to-day operations for the fifth-largest U.S. city and oversees public safety, budgets, labor…
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