Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders has selected an in-house candidate to be his deputy city manager for operations, several weeks after his original appointee opted to not stay with the job.
James Freas, the city’s Director of Neighborhood Development Services since September 2021, got the nod for the position.
“He has already proven to be an asset as evidenced by his ability to lead our whole City to a conclusion of the full rewrite of the [Comprehensive] Plan, Future Land Use Map, and Zoning Ordinance,” Sanders wrote in a statement. “No small feat to accomplish while maintaining his calm and level-headed demeanor.”
Freas will continue to lead staff at NDS while he begins his new role which will have a larger portfolio. The position of NDS Director has been posted with a job salary range between $130,000 to $174,720 a year.
“The Director of Neighborhood Development Services performs complex professional and administrative work overseeing and directing the programs, activities, and staff of Neighborhood Development Services Department, which includes planning, urban design, zoning, building inspections, property maintenance, GIS, and historic preservation,” reads the description.
In new position. Freas will oversee his old department, the Office of Community Solutions, Public Works, Charlottesville Area Transit, and the utilities office. Freas will be tasked with implementing the capital improvement program, organization-wide initiatives, and “operational efficiencies.”
“I am looking forward to supporting the City Manager and City Council in achieving their vision and goals for organizational excellence and innovation in the work of the Operations Team,” Freas is quoted in the press release.
Freas was hired in August 2021 to replace Alexander Ikefuna who became the first person to lead the Office of Community Solutions.
Sanders’ first choice for the role was Lionel Lyons who left the position after less than a week due to a family emergency. (read that story)
