Phoenix City Manager Earns International Award of Excellence

Oct. 5, 2001

Phoenix City Manager Frank Fairbanks was presented the “Award for Excellence” from the International City/County Management Association for his outstanding contributions to professional management. The award, ICMA’s highest honor, was presented to Fairbanks at the group’s international conference and recognizes him for consistently initiating creative and successful programs and enhancing the effectiveness of local government.

“As ICMA is approached by communities throughout the world for examples of best practices in a variety of areas of local government, invariably we send people to Phoenix and to Frank Fairbanks,” said Bill Hansell, executive director, ICMA. “He is truly one of the most outstanding local government managers in the United States.”

While at the ICMA conference, Fairbanks also accepted the ICMA Program Excellence Award for Citizen Involvement for the city of Phoenix. The award recognizes the Neighborhood Services Department’s successful strategies designed to inform residents about local government services and to include residents in the process of community decision making.

An anonymous 17-member panel looked at Fairbanks’ commitment to improving service while closely managing costs. He is a strong believer that employees are the front line of the city and works to involve them with all projects and programs. Employees submit about 400 suggestions a year on how to improve services, and one recent idea from an employee will save the city more than $100,000 annually.

Through a unique labor/management partnership, a re-engineering of the Water Services Department reduced operating costs by more than $12 million annually while improving water quality, the environment and customer service. Staffing at one plant has been reduced from 30 to 14 and by placing employees in alternative positions, no one has lost a job.

Fairbanks has served as Phoenix city manager since 1990. He joined the city in 1972 and has served as a management assistant, executive assistant to the city manager and assistant city manager. He is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the city, and works closely with the mayor and City Council, helping them formulate objectives, policies and programs.

ICMA is a professional and educational organization representing appointed managers and administrators in local governments throughout the world.

Media Contact:

Toni Maccarone

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