City Manager Unfiltered

Latest Episodes:

Is this a masterclass on how to handle a termination? | Ep. 134 Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

In October, Mike Mortell was caught flat-footed when he learned that his fate was sealed and that he would be fired a couple of weeks later. The city manager for Stuart, Florida didn't take it lying down or run off with his tail between his legs.

After enduring months of "social media slander" and the machinations of an elected official who orchestrated his ouster, Mortell had to sit through hours of a council meeting before getting the opportunity to speak -- shortly before his inevitable termination.

Mortell made a passionate defense of his tenure and attempted to set the record straight on the allegations leveled against him. This episode features the audio from that meeting and I have to ask -- is this not a masterclass on how to defend your reputation when you are being terminated?

SHOW NOTES:

To learn more about Sam Toles' social media training for elected officials, go to: https://civisocial.com/aame

AAME MEMBERSHIP:

To join the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), sign up at this link: https://community.aame.org/

AAME JOB BOARD:

The AAME has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My Criminal Defense Attorney Breaks Down the Felony Charges | Ep. 133 Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

On this special episode of the podcast, Katie Bogenschutz, my criminal defense attorney joins me to discuss the case and break down my two felony charges. I provide a bit more context about my time in Walton County, Florida, and how we got to this point. Additionally, we talk about the terms of the pre-trial diversion offer extended to me by the prosecutor and the discussion we had as to whether I should accept it.

At the time of this recording, three depositions had taken place, but only two transcripts had been received and published by the Clerk of the Court. Since this episode was recorded, the transcripts for the deposition of Keith Riddick, the FDLE investigator, have since been made available.
You can read all court filings by going to this link: https://www.civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/66/disclaimer.xhtml

After checking the disclaimer, type in my first and last name, and then check the "Felony" box.

SHOW NOTES:

Katie Bogenschutz' LinkedIn Profile and website

AAME MEMBERSHIP:

To join the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), sign up at this link: https://community.aame.org/

AAME JOB BOARD:

The AAME has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Mitch Hammes is THAT Code Enforcement Guy | Ep. 132 Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Mitch Hammes has a built a national reputation as "That Code Enforcement Guy" having worked himself up front the frontlines as a code enforcement officer all the way to the top as a city administrator.

In this episode, we avoid getting into the weeds and examine code enforcement related topics at the 30,000 foot level in a manner that his hopefully more relevant to city managers and executives. In essence, I wanted to give a voice to the code enforcement officers on the frontlines and allow them to speak to their city managers and department heads through the voice and experience of Mitch -- who has walked their path.

Cool note! When Mitch stopped by my home in Wichita to record this episode in person, he was a finalist for his first city manager gig. Shortly after recording this interview he was selected to lead the city of Lamar, Colorado, and started at the end of October.

SHOW NOTES:

Mitch Hammes' LinkedIn profile

Website for "That Code Enforcement Guy"

AAME MEMBERSHIP:

To join the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), sign up at this link: https://community.aame.org/

AAME JOB BOARD:

The AAME has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Black City Manager: You Gotta Meet Me Halfway with Troy Body | Ep. 131 Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

This is the second installment in our new "Black City Manager" series featuring Troy Body, the city manager for Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

"I can't love your neighborhood more than you love it," Troy explains as we navigate his philosophical approach to city management. He uses the "pick up the can" metaphor to explain how he believe residents must taker ownership for the condition of their own neighborhoods and community.

At the end of the day, he says that the residents "have to meet me halfway" for true change to take place.

He also states that too many city managers oversell and overhype themselves by projecting the idea that they are transformational leaders and that that can lead to conflict with elected officials and stakeholders.

SHOW NOTES:

The LinkedIn page for "Black City Managers"

Website for "Black City Managers"

Troy Body's LinkedIn profile

AAME MEMBERSHIP:

To join the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), sign up at this link: https://community.aame.org/

AAME JOB BOARD:

The AAME has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Announcing Sam Toles' New Social Media Course for Elected Officials | Ep. 130 Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Are your elected officials overreacting to negative comments and criticism on social media? Tired of watching them get spun up by a handful of keyboard warriors living in their mother's basement?

Then you need to enroll your elected officials in Sam Toles' new social media training course for elected officials. He is the social media master and a former council member.

Lean on his experience and expertise to show your governing body how to analyze and assess the social media landscape.

SHOW NOTES

Sam Toles' LinkedIn profile

Link to CiviSocial website

Link to Sam Toles' New Book: The Social Media Playbook For Local Elected Officials

Link to the AAME discount for the CiviSocial Social Medial Training for Elected Officials

Link to CiviSocial's DeepFake Program

Link to CiviSocial's Referendum Ready Program

Sam previously appeared on the following episodes:

Episode 67: Your City is Doing Social Media Wrong

Episode 68: Keyboard Warriors & Social Media Terrorists

Episode 108: Social Media Training for Elected Officials with Sam Toles

Claim your FREE copy of "The Social Media Playbook for City & County Managers" at this link: https://civisocial.com/the-social-media-playbook

AAME JOB BOARD:

The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

BEWARE: Bait & Switch in Valley Center, KS City Administrator Recruitment | Ep. 129 Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I call out what I believe to be unethical and deceitful practices by the the city of Valley Center, Kansas in their current search for a new city administrator.

The have posted on LinkedIn that the salary range for their next administrator is $115,000 to $200,000. However, their original job postings that are still visible on various job boards listed a salary of range of $105,000 to $145,000.

And just two weeks ago they passed a salary ordinance that set the salary range for the city administrator at a maximum of $171,000 and the current city administrator who has been there for six years is only making $152,000.

It appears they are attempting to bait candidates to apply with the new exaggerated and unattainable salary range so that they can lowball the finalist.

AAME MEMBERSHIP:

To join the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), sign up at this link: https://community.aame.org/

AAME JOB BOARD:

The AAME has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Small Town City Manager Love Affair with Halley Roberson | Ep. 128 Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

Beloit City Manager Halley Roberson is one of my favorite interviews of all-time and I am pretty sure that most of you will enjoy it, too. She is absolutely hilarious and I am glad I drove the two plus hours to meet her.

In this episode, we discuss our mutual love for small town city management, especially in Kansas, and the opportunities it presents for aspiring public sector executives. We also talk about the challenges a city manager will face and need to adjust to in order to be successful.

If you are a department head or feel trapped in management analyst land and you have aspirations of becoming a city manager, you should give this episode a listen to help determine if a small, rural community is a good "next step" for you.

SHOW NOTES:

Link to Halley Roberson's LinkedIn profile

AAME MEMBERSHIP:

To join the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), sign up at this link: https://community.aame.org/

AAME JOB BOARD:

The AAME has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Chris Mann: Knowing Your Why & Being Prepared to Execute | Ep. 127 Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Chris Mann's journey to the city manager's chair was a circuitous, non-traditional one. The California city manager started his journey as a city councilman in his early 20s and would later go on to start his own public relations firm which heavily focused on local government issues and land development. He would then launch a a successful political action committee that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars each election cycle.

In this episode, we talk about the "why" behind his journey and an aspect that many are simply unprepared for. We also discuss the reasons behind the city podcast he launched when he was the city manager in Yucaipa, California. He explains the funding source he used to pay for the equipment and we kick around an idea that many cities and counties may want to consider implementing so that they can help their residents develop their own voice in our rapidly evolving digital economy.

SHOW NOTES:

Links to Chris Mann's LinkedIn profile and Gov360 Podcast

AAME MEMBERSHIP:

To join the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), sign up at this link: https://community.aame.org/

AAME JOB BOARD:

The AAME has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Black City Manager: A New Series with Troy Body | Ep. 126 Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

For many months, I have been trying to coax and cajole Troy Body into starting his own podcast or at the very least becoming a regular, recurring guest on my podcast. I have wanted to provide a platform for the Hopkinsville, Kentucky city manager and give him a voice.

He has interesting perspectives and opinions you will not find anywhere else regarding local government and city management and he often shares these "hot takes" on the "Black City Managers" LinkedIn page.

The plan is to roll out a series of interviews with Troy so that he can get a sense of whether he would like to do his own podcast and help him build a pre-launch audience if he decides to venture out on his own. Building listenership for a podcast is incredibly difficult.

If you enjoy this new series, please let us know by going to BlackCityManagers.org and leaving a comment.

SHOW NOTES:

The LinkedIn page for "Black City Managers"

Website for "Black City Managers"

Troy Body's LinkedIn profile

AAME MEMBERSHIP:

To join the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), sign up at this link: https://community.aame.org/

AAME JOB BOARD:

The AAME has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Blaine Oborn: Persecuted Because of My LDS Faith | Ep. 125 Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

For nearly 20 years, Blaine Oborn had an unblemished record as a city manager serving in multiple states. That all changed when he became the city administrator in Oak Harbor, Washington.

He assumed his duties as the city was at the very tail end of a wastewater plant project that had tripled in costs from $50 million to $150 million under the leadership of Cathy Rosen, the public works director.

She would go on to level unsubstantiated accusations that masked her religious bigotry toward Blaine, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. These claims were embellish and exaggerated by the publisher of the local paper. She had previously applied for a job with the city and was rejected by Oborn.

These horrible, baseless accusations have been amplified in newspaper articles, tainted his Google footprint, and severely hurt him in job searches. In this episode, he seeks to set the record straight and repair the damage done to his reputation.

SHOW NOTES:

Blaine Oborn's LinkedIn profile

AAME MEMBERSHIP:

To join the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), sign up at this link: https://community.aame.org/

AAME JOB BOARD:

The AAME has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.

Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page

Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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