Bridge City announces new city manager

BRIDGE CITY, Texas — Bridge City officially has a new city manager after the city council unanimously appointed Christopher Baker on January 2, 2024.

Baker was selected from 24 applicants including four finalists, according to a Bridge City news release. His first official day will be on January 15.

The search process was lead by Slavin Management Consultants, Norcross, Georgia, which is a nationally renowned local government executive search firm that specializes in assisting local governments find their next Chief Executive Officer, according to the release.

Baker brings 27 years of experience in local government. He most recently was the Development Services Director in Goodyear, Arizona which has a population of 112,000. There he oversaw substantial growth of the City as one of the Phoenix metropolitan area’s fastest growing suburbs, according to the release.

He has experience in economic development, transportation, land use planning and public works.

Baker spent a lot of his career in the Alabama Gulf Coast area, where he is also a native of. He is excited to be returning to the southeast.

“I am excited to join a visionary city council and work with a talented staff team at Bridge City. Elizabeth and I are also happy to return to this part of the country and to be near family," said Baker.

“Mr. Baker is a successful leader who has managed large staffs, some larger than that in Bridge City. His past working experience in the Gulf Coast region and exhibiting leadership in the areas of interest by the City Council were important considerations for us," said Bridge City Mayor David Rutledge.

Their will be a meeting on Tuesday January 16 at 6 p.m. with a reception where Bridge City residents can officially welcome Baker to the city.