This year marks the 100th anniversary of Alexandria’s city-manager form of government, which was created in 1921 as part of a good government movement across the country to bring professional expertise into managing government. Now that current City Manager Mark Jinks has announced his retirement, City Council members are considering what kind of applicant they want to see fill the job next. Agenda Alexandria is taking the opportunity to examine the role of city manager, what kind of responsibilities the job holds and what kind of influence the title commands.

Many people believe the mayor runs the city. But everyone at City Hall knows the city manager actually runs the show. Agenda Alexandria’s panel discussion will include a wide variety of perspectives about what has happened in the city manager’s office in the past and what they can expect in the future.