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Rob Boyer

City Manager

City Manager
William R. (Rob) Boyer III

Phone: 815.297.1166
Fax: 815.238.1216

William (Rob) Boyer was sworn in as City Manager on Monday, May 1, 2023. Rob has 24 years of organizational leadership in both public and private organizations and has a strong background in public works and utilities. In August 2022, he was appointed to Deputy City Manager. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran and served honorably as a Plane Captain and Crew Chief on heavy-lift helicopters while stationed in Hawaii.

Rob has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois and is a member of the Global Honor Society for Public Administrators. Additionally, Rob earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational and Professional Development form Eastern Illinois University, where he received Dean’s List honors.

After-hours, Rob and his wife Kate enjoy spending time with their kids and look forward to countless hours enjoying Freeport’s abundant amenities.  Rob is excited to advance the City’s goals through effective, efficient, economic and equitable leadership.

 

COUNCIL-MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT:

The council-manager form of government is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.

The City of Freeport operates under the council-manager form of government. The City Council is elected by the public and serves as the governing body of the City. The City Council in turn appoints a professional City Manager who implements Council direction and oversees the day-to-day operations of the City. If comparing City government to a corporation, the City Council is the Board of Directors and the City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer.

Role of the Mayor:

  • Mayors in council-manager communities (or chairpersons in counties) are key political leaders and policy developers. In the case of the council, the mayor is responsible for soliciting citizen views in forming these policies and interpreting them to the public.
  • The mayor presides at council meetings, serves as a spokesperson for the community, facilitates communication and understanding between elected and appointed officials, assists the council in setting goals and advocating policy decisions, and serves as a promoter and defender of the community.
  • In addition, the mayor serves as a key representative in intergovernmental relations. The mayor, council, and manager constitute a policy-development and management team.

Role of the City Council:

  • The City Council is Freeport’s legislative and policy-making body. The City Council establishes the vision and goals for the City.
  • The Council is comprised of the Mayor and eight Council members. One Council member is elected At-Large and Seven are elected by Wards.
  • The Council adopts the ordinances and resolutions that establish the laws and standards for our City government, and they provide direction on services and projects to address the City’s needs. The City Council approves the
  • City budget and various policies, approves expenditures, sets local tax rates, and approves City staffing levels.

Role of the City Manager:

  • The City Council appoints a professional City Manager to implement Council’s direction and oversee the day-to-day operations of the City. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council and is charged with putting the Council’s vision, goals, and priorities into action.
  • The City Manager implements Council direction and oversees the day-to-day operations of the City.
  • The City Manager is the Chief Executive Officer for the City government. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council and is charged with putting the Council’s vision, goals, and priorities into action. The City
  • Manager provides leadership for the City organization, sets performance expectations for City staff, and supervises all City Department Heads.
  • The City Manager is the chief advisor to Council members, providing them with recommendations based upon complete and objective information about City operations and services. The City Manager is responsible for the preparation of City Council meeting agendas and scheduling items for Council discussion and action. The City Manager carries out the decisions of the Council with an emphasis on effective, efficient, and equitable service delivery to the entire community.
  • The manager must also follow the ICMA (International City Managers Association) Code of Ethics.
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