Why St. Louis Needs a City Manager
Why St. Louis Needs a City Manager
Why St. Louis Needs a City Manager
charting change for the future

In January, Ald. Velázquez filed BB162, a charter change that can transform St. Louis City by establishing a city manager. This change moves the hiring of department leadership of essential services from a mayor's political appointees to picks based on qualifications from a nonpolitical City Manager with proven, professional expertise in delivering city services.
The bill is currently being held until the 25-26 session for further development.


A professional local government manager who is hired and directed to oversee the daily operations of a community. They are nonpartisan, nonpolitical and handle the day-to-day business of local government ethically ,efficiently and transparently.
Our current system is decentralized and can cause a dramatic shift of priorities and service delivery between administrations.
CITY OF ST. LOUIS CURRENT ORG CHART

2029: CITY OF ST. LOUIS PROPOSED ORG CHART

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A City Manager for St. Louis
Legislation + Presentations
City Manager News Coverage
NEWS
ST. LOUIS — Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez of St. Louis’s 6th Ward has been named one of nine American leaders selected for the prestigious 2025 Eisenhower Fellowships USA Program.
kmox radio - dave glover show
Mark Harder & Daniela Velázquez talk city and county managers
St. Louis County Councilman Mark Harder and Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez discuss their respective efforts to bring a manager to their respective governments.
st. louis magazine
City manager idea could gain traction post-election
The dream of shifting control of city services from the mayor to an unelected, professional city manager is still alive, says Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez. She organized a “tele town hall” last Thursday evening to discuss the idea—one that she hopes will be put to voters as a proposed charter amendment on the August 2026 ballot.