Mesa council appoints Scott Butler as city manager effective June 1, 2025

The Mesa City Council voted unanimously to appoint Scott Butler as city manager, effective June 1, 2025.

Councilmembers praised Butler’s institutional knowledge and internal experience as reasons for the promotion. The council’s motion to appoint Butler was moved by Councilmember Francisco Heredia and seconded by Vice Mayor Summers; the vote was recorded as affirmative on the motion.

Butler thanked the council and recognized outgoing City Manager Chris Brady for building internal leadership. “I really appreciate the faith and trust that all seven of you have placed in me,” Butler said, and added that he intended to continue promoting from within and maintaining continuity: “We’re all going to do great things together to further Mesa and continue to deliver that great service to our residents.”

Councilmember Spilsbury said she had “never heard anyone say anything negative or bad about him,” and expressed public support for promoting from within to maintain stability as the city addresses upcoming challenges. Vice Mayor Summers and other councilmembers likewise emphasized Butler’s relationships with employees and his experience working across departments.

The appointment follows nearly two decades of leadership by Chris Brady, whom speakers on the dais recognized for preparing a “great bench of talent” across city departments. The appointment was taken as part of Item 1 on the council agenda.

The council did not attach additional conditions to the appointment during the vote; Butler’s effective start date was announced as June 1, 2025.

No formal policy changes or follow-up tasks were directed on the record at the time of the motion; Butler and several councilmembers noted there would be further public-facing remarks and transition activities in June.