Ed Zuercher, Phoenix City Manager, appoints Jeff Barton as deputy city manager to lead the coronavirus response and oversee police and fire

February 8, 2021

Phoenix City Administrator Ed Zuercher has named Jeff Barton as the city’s assistant city manager, the number two in the city administrator’s office who leads the city’s COVID-19 response and includes police, fire, home and research departments in the city City oversees fifth largest city in the country with more than 14,000 employees. “Jeff led the strategic distribution of $ 293.3 million to federal coronavirus relief funds to support COVID-19 affected residents and businesses while ensuring public safety and other key city services continue to be fully funded “said Zuercher.

“His knowledge of the city’s budget process, public safety measures, strategic use of data, and leadership skills will be beneficial to the city and our residents in his new role as we move through this current phase of COVID and beyond find their way.

“Most recently, Barton was the deputy city administrator, heading the budget & research, community and economic development, fire and library departments, and youth and education office. Previously, he was director of the city’s budget & research department for five years, where he was responsible for planning , Projected and managed 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 spend forecasting and modeling and revenue process to better plan future funding needs and early forecast of potential budget problems.

“I started my career with the city 22 years ago as a chartered accountant to ensure the operational efficiency of the city’s departments and programs – and I continue to use the skills I have acquired to this day,” said Barton. “I am humble about this new challenge and look forward to continuing to focus my efforts on making sure the city’s budget is solid, our departments and programs are resilient, and our communities are safe places for all.

“Barton has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Morehouse College and a master’s degree in public administration from Shippensburg University.

This press release was produced by the City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author’s own.