The city of Aurora operates under a council/manager form of government, combining the political leadership of elected officials with the managerial expertise of a professionally trained, local government manager appointed to the position. Council members are the city's policy makers, elected by popular vote to be responsive to citizens' needs and wishes. They focus on:
As the council members serve at the pleasure of Aurora citizens, the city manager serves at the pleasure of the mayor and council. The manager can be replaced at any time by a majority vote of city council.
Council-Manager Form of Government FAQs |
Duties of the City Manager:
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Ensures that the policy direction set by the city council is carried out
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Sees to it that the city's delivery of public services is of high quality and provided in an efficient and cost-effective manner
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Prepares a recommended budget for the city council
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Recruits, hires and supervises city of Aurora staff
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Provides the city council objective information and recommendations regarding the issues and decisions before the city council.
Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes of Aurora city government?
While we're all busy running our lives, our City Manager is busy running our city, with a focus on going from good to great. Take a look at the type of work that goes on behind the scenes each day in Aurora.
Jason Batchelor |
Interim City Manager
Jason Batchelor
The Aurora City Council approved the appointment of Deputy City Manager Jason Batchelor to serve as interim city manager following the retirement of Jim Twombly, who retired as city manager in April 2023.
Batchelor, a 1996 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, holds a master’s degree in engineering and master’s degree in public administration from the University of Texas. He has led the city in many capacities during his 15 years here. He first joined the city as the budget officer and three years later promoted to the role of finance director. For the last eight years, Jason has been a deputy city manager overseeing a number of departments. Batchelor also served as the interim city manager from October 2017 to August 2018.
While Batchelor serves as interim city manager, some of his departmental oversight has shifted to other deputy city managers. He will continue to directly oversee Police and Fire during this time, along with providing overall city oversight.
Executive Staff
Laura Perry, Deputy City Manager
Oversees Public Works, the Office of Development Assistance, Human Resources (temporarily under the oversight of Water Department Director Marshall Brown), Parks, Recreation and Open Space, and Library and Cultural Services; also temporarily overseeing Planning and Development Services, including the Oil and Gas Division
Roberto Venegas, Deputy City Manager
Oversees Finance, Housing and Community Services, City Clerk's Office (temporarily under the oversight of Senior Development Project Manager Kendall Koca), Communications and Marketing, Intergovernmental Relations, and the Office of International and Immigrant Affairs; also temporarily overseeing Information Technology
City Manager Organization Chart
Mayoral Appointee Chart
City Management Roster