The City Manager is the chief administrative officer for the City and is appointed by the Iowa City City Council.

The City Manager implements policy decisions of the City Council and enforces City ordinances. In addition, they appoint and directly supervise the directors of the City's operating departments, supervise the administration of the City's personnel system, and further supervises the official conduct of City employees including their employment, training, compensation, reclassification, discipline, and discharge.

The position also oversees administration of City contracts, execution of public improvements, as well as construction, improvement, and maintenance of all City facilities.

Budget responsibilities include preparing a proposed annual budget and submitting it to the City Council for consideration and final approval consistent with State law, along with presenting recommendations and programs to the City Council.

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Geoff Fruin, City Manager

Geoff Fruin has served as Iowa City’s City Manager since August 2016.

Geoff started his career in Iowa City in 2011 and served as the Assistant to the City Manager and later as the Assistant City Manager for Iowa City.

Preceding his employment with Iowa City, Geoff spent more than seven years with the Town of Normal, Illinois where he held several positions concluding with his role as Assistant City Manager.

Before serving in local government, Geoff worked as a research assistant for the Urban Transportation Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, as well as an intern with both the Chicago Transit Authority and the William J. Clinton presidential administration at the White House in Washington, D.C. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa in Business Administration, and Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Geoff and his wife Jenny reside in Iowa City and have three children.

Geoff can be reached by calling 319-356-5013 or e-mailing gfruin@iowa-city.org.

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Chris O'Brien, Deputy City Manager

Chris O'Brien has served as Iowa City’s Deputy City Manager since November 2024.

Chris returns to the City after spending the last seven years in the private sector with Evora Energy where he held the position of Chief Operating Officer. He was previously employed with the City of Iowa City from 1997-2017, culminating with the position of Transportation and Resource Management Director.

O’Brien holds a master's degree in business from the University of Iowa and brings an extensive background in municipal and operations management.

Chris can be reached by calling 319-356-5012 or emailing cobrien@iowa-city.org.

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Kirk Lehmann, Assistant City Manager

Kirk Lehmann has served as Iowa City’s Assistant City Manager since February 2024.

Prior to his current role, Kirk spent six years in the City’s Department of Neighborhood and Development Services as an Associate Planner. This included the administration of federal grant funding and a specialization in long-range land use planning and policy development.

Before working for the City, Kirk consulted as a Planner for RDG Planning and Design from Omaha and Kansas City, and he served as the Community and Economic Development Planner for the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Council (SIMPCO) out of Sioux City. Kirk received his B.A. in Anthropology from Luther College and his M.S. in Urban Planning and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa (during which time he also interned for the City of Iowa City).

Kirk can be reached by calling 319-356-5014 or emailing klehmann@iowa-city.org.

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Rachel Kilburg Varley, Economic Development & Public Art Coordinator

Rachel has served as the Economic Development & Public Art Coordinator since November 2023. Prior to this, Rachel spent three years as Assistant City Manager. 

Before coming to Iowa City, she worked for the City of Dubuque in the Budget Office and Parking & Transit Department. Rachel has a B.A. in Politics and a B.A. in Spanish from Loras College and an M.A. in Strategic Communication from the University of Iowa.