SE Valley Times

The Mesa City Council has appointed Scott Butler as the new City Manager, following a unanimous decision. Butler, who has been with the City of Mesa for nearly 21 years, will take over from Christopher J. Brady on June 1, 2025. Brady announced his retirement in January after almost two decades of leadership.

"Mesa is positioned for an incredible future. I'm honored to have been selected to help guide our city through its next chapter," said Scott Butler, the newly appointed City Manager. "My approach will balance fiscal discipline with strategic innovation, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional services while developing the economic vitality our community deserves. I look forward to building on the strong foundation established during Chris Brady's tenure while bringing fresh perspectives to address our evolving challenges."

Butler has held various roles within the city administration, including Assistant City Manager since July 2022 and Deputy City Manager from 2015 to 2022. His responsibilities have included overseeing critical departments such as Police, Fire and Medical, Municipal Court, Transportation, Transit and Falcon Field.

"Scott has foundational and institutional knowledge of the City of Mesa. He knows what makes the City successful and has firsthand knowledge of the challenges ahead," stated Mayor Mark Freeman. The Council expressed full confidence in Butler's ability to lead the organization effectively.

During his career with Mesa, Butler played a significant role in several key projects like securing the Chicago Cubs' continued presence in Mesa and developing State Route 24. He also helped establish partnerships with Arizona State University and Maricopa Community College District for workforce development programs.

Outgoing City Manager Chris Brady praised Butler's growth during his tenure: "Scott has grown tremendously during his tenure with the City of Mesa, and I've had the privilege of witnessing his development as a leader," he said. "His institutional knowledge and dynamic mindset will allow for a seamless transition while bringing fresh energy to the organization."

As he steps into his new role, Butler aims to maintain fiscal responsibility, reorganize resources for efficiency, streamline development processes and attract high-wage employers.

Before joining Mesa in 2004, Butler worked at various government levels including serving as a policy advisor for the Georgia House of Representatives and as an outreach liaison for the White House Office of Scheduling and Advance. He graduated from the University of Georgia.