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(BALTIMORE – October 25, 2022) — Today, the Scott Administration announced the departure of City Administrator Christopher J. Shorter, who was named the new County Executive for Prince William County, Va. following an approval vote by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. Shorter’s last day with the City will be December 30, 2022. A search to permanently fill this critical position is now underway.
Shorter became Baltimore’s first City Administrator following a 2020 charter amendment that created the position, an effort championed by then-Council President Brandon M. Scott. It was a role that Mayor Scott believed was necessary to make city government more efficient, reliable, and equitable – goals that Shorter accomplished during his tenure.
“Years before I became mayor it was clear to me that Baltimore needed to join most major cities in having a city administrator to oversee key functions of government and ensure that City operations were effectively managed and executed to best serve our constituents,” Mayor Brandon M. Scott said. “In just under two years, Baltimore has seen tremendous strides, much of it due to Chris’ transformational leadership.”
Since coming to City Hall in January 2021, Shorter’s staff has been involved with or led work for some key city initiatives, including:
- Chairing the Workforce Vaccination and Testing Operations Task Force ensuring compliance with workforce vaccination and testing requirements. The City achieved an 88 percent workforce compliance rate and awarded stipends to thousands of employees.
- Leading Mayor Scott’s vacant properties review process to examine existing strategies to alleviate nuisance properties and provide comprehensive recommendations to the Mayor on operational, financial, and legal tools that strengthen the City’s prevention and enforcement efforts.
- Establishing the Mayor Brandon M. Scott Strategic Action Plan which outlined a clear vision for the City of Baltimore, established measurable goals, and created an online tool for public access.
- Supporting the transition to a new customer portal for over two dozen online payment processes, which included an enhanced customer experience for residents, improved security, more payment options, and additional planned walk-in service locations in City neighborhoods.
- Creating a Transformation Management Office to assist with the coordination and management of government reform projects and initiatives.
- Implementing a citywide Employee Rewards and Recognition Program honoring staff from all levels of city government for extraordinary service and commitment to the City of Baltimore.
- Leading end-to-end Comprehensive Procurement Reform process to assess citywide procurement rules and regulations and modify administrative processes and staff structure.
“It speaks volumes of the transformational work that is happening in Baltimore when people like Chris are tapped from other municipalities or organizations to serve in key roles,” Scott added. “I know Chris will agree with me when I say that talented and accomplished professionals really create a lasting impact when they do great work to lay a solid foundation on which even greater work can be built. Chris has done that and has assembled a strong team that will ensure that the progress continues.”
Prior to joining the Scott Administration, Shorter served as assistant city manager in Austin, Texas where he oversaw departments supporting health, environment, culture, and continuing education. He was also credited with playing a pivotal role in Austin’s COVID-19 response in the early days of the pandemic. Shorter also served as director of the Washington, D.C. Department of Public Works where he led the expansion of the District’s environmental sustainability portfolio and the introduction of advanced technology to transform the department’s operations.
“I am immensely grateful for the vision Mayor Scott had to create this role and for the confidence he had in me to fill it,” Shorter said. “I am truly fortunate to have served as Baltimore’s first City Administrator and honored to have played a part in creating a healthier, stronger, and more equitable Baltimore.”
