Department Directory - City Manager - City Manager - Administration

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The City of Arvada operates within a council-manager form of government. This system of local government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council, with the managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The plan establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council as a whole and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.

The city manager supervises implementation of policy and procedure as directed by the city council through coordination and supervision of operations in all city departments. The city manager advises the city council on all matters relating to the planning, development, and operating status of city departments. Arvada's city manager is Craig Kocian, who started with the city on March 3, 1997. Mr. Kocian received his Masters of Public Administration in 1972 from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. He was the city manager of Arvada from 1976 to 1983, and the city manager of Oakland, California from 1993 through February of 1997.