The Buckeye City Council has reportedly named Doug Sandstrom as the City Manager, a promotion within the ranks for a man who's been in the vicinity of the city's heartbeat for some time. Sandstrom, who carries over three decades of municipal government experience to his new post, has been serving as a Deputy City Manager since January 2024. According to a Buckeye news release, his expertise spans finance, administration, and an emphasis on continuous improvement.
Over the course of his 18-month tenure as deputy, Sandstrom was able to quickly forge strong ties with a range of stakeholders within the urban weave of Buckeye. Notably, he was instrumental in successfully leading the passage of the 2024 GO Bond effort. He's also collaborated with developers on new Impact Fees and worked closely to foster maintain connections with labor associations. These recent achievements were pivotal in securing his ascendancy to the city's managerial helm.
Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn has openly voiced his stance on the appointment, expressing that "Doug Sandstrom is the logical choice to continue leading Buckeye into the future." He remarked on Sandstrom's capacity to transition seamlessly into the role and his alignment with the city's broader strategic objectives. Sandstrom, who holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin, resonates with the city's mission and values, likely contributing to the City Council's confidence in his leadership potential.
Embracing his new responsibilities, Sandstrom commented, "I am excited to be Buckeye’s next City Manager. I am looking forward to doing my part to accelerate Buckeye’s current upward trajectory through collaboration, enhanced employee engagement, transparency and teamwork that will strengthen our reputation as the community of limitless possibilities." The statement, indicative of his forward-looking agenda, promises a focus on harnessing communal resources and ensuring Buckeye’s reputation as a city teeming with potential is bolstered, not simply maintained.
The approval of Sandstrom's contract came at the Tuesday Buckeye City Council meeting. His annual salary has been set at $310,000, and his tenure in the role of City Manager commences immediately, injecting a new dynamic into the city's governance at a pivotal moment in its growth narrative.
