CHANDLER, Ariz. – Chandler City Manager Josh Wright has announced he will resign his position effective August 1, 2025. He has served as city manager since March 2021.
“It has been one of the highest honors of my career to serve the City of Chandler with ethics, integrity, professionalism and empathy,” said Wright, who grew up in the area. “The more than 1,800 Team Chandler employees are among the finest public servants with whom I have ever worked.”
During Wright’s tenure, the city received voter approval for a $272 million bond package to invest in infrastructure and amenities, became the largest city in Arizona to pay off its public safety pension obligations which saves taxpayers $9.7 million per year, started construction on its first new affordable public housing developments in decades and supported a $30 billion expansion of Intel Corporation’s manufacturing facilities.
Chandler has lowered its primary property tax rate for 10 straight years and boasts both the lowest general sales tax rate in Arizona and the lowest overall cost of services among large Valley cities. In 2023, Chandler was named the Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and, in 2024, received the Community Equity and Inclusion Award from the International City/County Management Association for its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, the first of its kind in Arizona.
Wright joined Chandler in March 2017 as assistant city manager. Prior to that, he served as town manager of Wickenburg for five years and worked five years at the Town of Marana as an assistant to the town manager and director of strategic initiatives.
The city manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the City of Chandler and implements policies adopted by the City Council. It is one of four positions appointed by the City Council, the others being the city attorney, city clerk and presiding magistrate.