The Wichita City Council announced on Tuesday plans to offer the job of Wichita City Manager to Robert Layton, the City Manager of Urbandale, Iowa. Layton, 53, has served as City Manager of Urbandale, a city of 40,000 near Des Moines, since 1984. From 1980-84, he was a senior administrative assistant to the City Manager of Des Moines; and from 1978-1980, he was an intern budget analyst in Kansas City, Mo.

He became the leading candidate to be the city’s next City Manager after a 4-3 Council vote that followed a morning executive session. Layton emerged from a list of three finalists who included William Buchanan, Sedgwick County Manager and George Noe, former Corpus Christi, TX City Manager. He was among five finalists that a 17-member City Manager search committee and Slavin Consultants submitted to the Council.

Mayor Carl Brewer who voted with the minority (Vice Mayor Sue Schlapp and Lavonta Williams) said the close vote reflected the quality of the three finalists who are all experienced public administrators with a deep knowledge of the Council-Manager form of government.

“It’s been a difficult decision,” Brewer said. “We looked at many fine candidates.”

Council member Jeff Longwell who voted with the majority (Sharon Fearey, Paul Gray, Jim Skelton) cited what he called Layton’s ability to help lead the city far into the future.

“We had great candidates,” Longwell said.

The Mayor, Vice Mayor and Gray will soon begin contract negotiations with Layton. The City Manager reports to the seven-member Council, oversees 3,100 employees, a $500 million annual budget and a $2.4 billion Capital Improvement Program. The City Manager position has been vacant since Jan.2 when former City Manager George Kolb resigned. To learn more about Layton view a video here of the press conference and his interview during a recent public forum,  or tune into City7, cable Channel 7. Also, see attached resume.

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