BOERNE– With a continued investment in professional development, Boerne City Manager Ben Thatcher is leading by example as the city continues to aim to be an exemplary Hill Country community.
Thatcher recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. He is one of approximately 1,300 local government management professionals internationally credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.
“When we brought Ben in as City Manager, City Council told him we already had the best people in place, but we wanted him to help them tap into their full potential,” Mayor Pro Tem Ty Wolosin said. “With his commitment to continuing education and professional development, I am glad to see him continue to grow and learn so our community and everyone at Team Boerne can be the best they can be.”
Whereas many municipally owned utilities in Texas have separate city managers and CEOs, in place Thatcher fulfills both roles. Not only does he lead day-to-day city operations for the city of 22,000 people, but he also oversees all Boerne Utilities services, which include electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, stormwater and reclaimed water that serves nearly 25,000 people in and around the City of Boerne.
“Serving our residents, not only on the local government side but also as a utility provider is a unique setup in Boerne,” Thatcher said. “Not only does the combined operation allow us to deliver streamlined high-quality, customer-focused essential services, but it also challenges me in ways a traditional City Management role wouldn’t.”
Since joining the City of Boerne in June 2020 Thatcher has overseen the following: 1. Creation of B.O.N.D. (Boerne Open Neighborhood Discussion) Meetings – 2021 2. Launch first-ever citizen survey – 2021 3. First voter approved bond election in 15 years – 2022 4. Lowering of the City’s tax rate for the first time since 2005, while maintaining all City services amid inflationary challenges experienced nationwide – 2022 5. Planning for construction and operation of a second fire station – 2023 groundbreaking 6. Prioritization of funding for capital infrastructure projects In his capacity as City Manager, Thatcher has also made significant contributions to a number of other organizations, including: 7. Boerne/Kendall County Economic Development Board 8. Boerne Chamber of Commerce Board 9. Texas Public Power Association Board 10. Texas City Management Association Public Policy Task Force 11. University of North Texas Public Administration Advisory Board Prior to serving as city manager, Thatcher was the Assistant City Manager in Southlake, Texas, for 13 years.
Additional highlights of his ICMA membership include:
• Conference Planning Committee – 2008
• Graduate of Leadership ICMA – 2009
• Digital Strategies Committee – 2009 – 2012
• Leadership Development Mentors – 2015
• 20 Year Service Award - 2022 To receive the prestigious ICMA credentials, members must have significant experience and the prerequisites to be hired as a senior management executive in local government. They must also continuously demonstrate a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.
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