CITY MANAGER

Samuel Sanders, Jr.

Appointed by Charlottesville City Council to serve as City Manager, effective August 1, 2023. Sanders served for two years as Deputy City Manager of Operations for the City, after serving 15 years as the Executive Director of Baton Rouge, Louisiana's Mid City Redevelopment Alliance.  A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Sanders is a graduate of Christopher Newport University in Newport News and holds an M.P.A. from Troy University. He completed the Achieving Excellence program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in 2020.

City Manager

The City of Charlottesville operates under the Council/Manager form of government. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, is the Chief Executive Officer for the City. This office is responsible for implementing the policies and directives of the City Council throughout the various City departments and agencies.

This office directs, monitors, reviews, and evaluates a wide array of programs and services conducted on behalf of the City. The City Manager’s office includes:

• Budget and Performance Management
• Communications & Public Engagement
• Economic Development

The City Manager’s Office is also charged with recommending, implementing, and monitoring policies and procedures that maintain the financial well-being of City government. Additionally, the office is responsible for communications strategies, economic development and workforce efforts and human rights initiatives.

The City Manager’s Office is located on the second floor of City Hall. The public is always welcome to stop by our office for information, to share an opinion or to request a service.

Initiatives Managed by the City Manager

Most major projects undertaken by the City of Charlottesville are managed by specific departments that report to the City Manager's Office. Other projects that cross departmental responsibilities and that generate, or have the potential to generate, significant community inquiries are managed directly by the City Manager and Deputy City Managers.

• 2026 City Manager Work Plan (PDF)
• Homelessness Intervention Plan (PDF)
• Department of Human Services Overview (PDF)
• Community Interventions 2.0 (PDF)
• City of Charlottesville Anti-Bullying Standard Operating Procedure (PDF)
• Deer Population Management
• Downtown Mall Committee

Terry Bentley

Executive Assistant to the City Manager
Phone: 434-970-3103

Lori Lawson

Administrative Assistant to Deputy City Manager
Phone: 434-970-3104