Kenneth L. Chandler, ICMA-CM
 Portsmouth City Manager
 Phone: (757) 393-8641

Kenneth L. Chandler has assumed the position of Portsmouth City Manager effective July 30, 2007. He was unanimously selected by the City Council for the City’s chief executive post on June 8. As the City’s CEO, he manages a local government of 22 departments, more than 2,000 employees, and an annual budget of more than $560 million.

A native of Southeastern Virginia, Chandler has a career in local government in Virginia and Texas that spans 21 years. In his most recent position, he was Executive General Manager for the City of Dallas, Texas, serving as executive liaison in the City Manager’s Office responsible for the coordination of high profile economic development projects for the nation’s ninth largest city.

In Virginia, he has served as Deputy County Manager for the Arlington County, Public Utilities Director for the City of Richmond, County Administrator for Charles City County, Human Resources Director for the City of Petersburg, Administrative Services Manager/Personnel Officer for the City of Hopewell, and Assistant to the County Administrator for Isle of Wight County.

He is a 1987 graduate of Morehouse College, Atlanta GA, holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Old Dominion University, Norfolk VA, and has completed several professional development studies including the Senior Executive Institute in Charlottesville. He is a certified member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and has served on numerous boards and task forces.

The City Manager serves as the City’s Executive Officer and Chief Executive Administrative, selected by and reporting to the City Council. He is responsible for the implementation of City Council policy and management of the day-to-day delivery service.

The City Manager has developed the following initiatives:

1. Destination Portsmouth. From Portsmouth City Council’s vision came Destination 2025 – the award winning Comprehensive Plan for the City. This document is Portsmouth’s strong vision statement that directly reflects the values, aspirations and priorities expressed by citizens during an extensive two-year planning process. This vision has laid the framework for the City’s future and the foundation with over $1 billion investment in new development projects throughout the city.
   
   Destination Portsmouth is a Series of Adopted Development Strategies, Plans and Initiatives which will implement the 2025 vision by proactively planning for our continued renaissance and completing the ground work necessary to make Portsmouth the Destination of Choice.
   
   
2. Biennial Budgeting. A Biennial budget is for two individual, discreet fiscal years. City Council will adopt the appropriations and tax rate for the first year, while the second year is used for long-term planning. Biennial budgeting helps to provide a comprehensive assessment of future budgetary risks and such a long-term plan is favored by the credit rating agencies. Other benefits of the Biennial budgeting process include: enhanced succession and contingency planning; effective information and management systems; targeted and well-defined economic development strategies; timely disclosure of material impact events; and, regular economic and revenue reviews to proactively identify potential problems.
   
   
3. Budgeting for Outcomes. Budgeting for Outcomes is a process designed to create a government that works better and costs less.
   
   Traditional budgeting involves a process that starts with predetermined maximum spending limits and focuses on what is allowed to be spent, as opposed to what resources are needed.
   
   Budgeting for Outcomes focuses on results and priorities, not on cost. The budget process shifts from paying for costs to buying results. It puts citizens and priorities first. It emphasizes accountability, innovation and partnerships.