Fairfax City Council Begins Search Process To Select Acting City Manager

Press release from the City of Fairfax :

(Jan. 8, 2025) — On Jan. 7, the Fairfax City Council unanimously voted to move forward with retaining an executive search firm to provide recommendations of individuals to temporarily serve as acting city manager for the City of Fairfax, following the departure of Laszlo Palko in December 2024.

Assistant City Manager Melanie R. Zipp will serve as acting city manager effective Jan. 9, in accordance with City Code, until the council selects and appoints an acting city manager. This follows the departure of Acting City Manager Valmarie Turner who will begin her tenure as city manager for the City of Roanoke, Va.

Related: Fairfax City Manager Fired By Outgoing City Council

The City Charter requires the council to develop a process and appoint an acting city manager when there is a vacancy. With the vacancies in the manager and the deputy manager positions, the council chose to retain a firm to temporarily fill the manager position, at which time Zipp will move to acting deputy manager. JC Martinez, the city's chief financial officer, has been designated as acting assistant city manager. This provides for a full leadership complement as the city approaches budget season.

Related: Fairfax City Official Appointed Roanoke City Manager: Reports

Following the appointment of the acting city manager, the city council will begin the recruitment process for a candidate to fill the position.

The city will announce when the recruitment process is established.

This press release was produced by the City of Fairfax. The views expressed here are the author’s own.