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City Manager Zach Walker accepts new role, City of Independence exploring next steps

August 12, 2025
A portrait of City Manager Zach Walker in a light grey suit with a white shirt and blue tie.

Independence, MO. – After almost a decade at the highest appointed office within the City of Independence, City Manager Zach Walker announced he will step down from his position this fall to take on the City Manager's role in Bloomington, Minnesota. 

“It has been the honor of my career to serve the people of Independence. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together over the past several years. While I am excited to embark on this next chapter in my career with Bloomington, I leave Independence with nothing but gratitude, pride, and a deep respect for this city and the people who make it special.”

 
Walker first joined the City of Independence in 2012 as a Management Analyst and rose through the ranks to City Manager in 2016. His tenure is marked by significant progress, including: 
 
  • passed of the City's first-ever General Obligation Bond with $55 million dollars going to fortify City infrastructure
  • completed a $1 billion industrial development and a $36 million commercial redevelopment
  • launched a Convention and Visitor’s Bureau with a new Tourism Master Plan
  • increased reserve funds from 3% to 17% of the overall City budget, while reducing long-term debt
  • navigated multiple union contract negotiations
  • introduced the award-winning Independence TOGETHER program, providing our most vulnerable residents a path towards home ownership
  • initiated the ARCH program, pairing Health Services social workers with IFD paramedics and rerouting first responders to critical emergencies in the city 
 

Mayor Rory Rowland praised Walker's leadership, noting this departure is an opportunity to build on the momentum Walker helped create.

“Zach led with both focus and heart, and we wish him continued success in Bloomington,” said Rory Rowland, Mayor of Independence. “His work laid a strong foundation and a city poised for the future."

Walker’s last day with the City will be October 12, 2025.  Next steps for the City Manager position will be announced after a special executive session of the Independence City Council on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.


 

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Rebecca Gannon
Public Information Officer

rgannon@indepmo.org
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