City Council announces plans for City Manager search

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - On Thursday, the members of the Independence City Council announced they will begin the process of a nationwide search for a new City Manager for the City of Independence.

The Independence City Council will consider a resolution at the August 18 City Council meeting to create a City Manager Search Council Subcommittee, headed by Councilmember Bridget McCandless.

 "Our City is synonymous with exploration and vision," said McCandless, referring to Independence as the start of the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California trails of the American Westward Expansion period of the 1800s.  "This is now our time to explore the future for our City.  This is the most important decision a council can make - deciding who will help guide Independence into its next 200 years.  We're eager to get started."

Current City Manager Zach Walker announced he accepted the City Manager position for Bloomington, Minnesota. Walker's last day with the City of Independence is October 12, 2025. In accordance with the Independence City Charter, the City Council and Mayor appoint the City Manager.

Also on Thursday, the City Council confirmed Deputy City Manager Lisa Reynolds will serve as Interim City Manager following Walker’s last day. A lifelong Independence resident with more than two decades in municipal service, Reynolds brings experience in leadership roles in the public and private sectors, along with credentials as a Certified Public Manager through the University of Kansas. Since last year, Reynolds has served as both the Director of Municipal Services and Deputy City Manager. In order to effectively lead the transition process, Reynolds will be stepping away from her role as Director of Municipal Services.

“Lisa’s leadership will keep us moving forward,” current City Manager Zach Walker said. “She knows the work, she knows the community, and she knows how to get things done."

Mike Jackson has been selected to be the next Director of Municipal Services for the City of Independence.  Jackson has more than 20 years of experience within the City, including Director of Human Resources and Deputy Director of Municipal Services.  Independence Municipal Services provides multiple City services, including water, street maintenance, and construction management.
 

About the City of Independence: Independence is the fifth-largest city in the state of Missouri, with more than 120,000 residents and 1,000 employees. The City of Independence maintains roughly 1,300 lane miles of streets in its city limits, which stretches across roughly 78 square miles.  Independence owns and operates its own power, water, and wastewater facilities, along with nearly 50 public parks and facilities.  It has been a top 10 Digital City for most of the last two decades, has won multiple awards for its community initiatives, and recently passed its first-ever General Obligation Bond.  The City will mark its bicentennial in 2027.