City Manager Leaves International Association

Citing a lack of value for the city‘s investment, City Manager Lehman Walker has discontinued his membership in the International City/Council Management Association (ICMA) on behalf of University City.

According to a press release, the ICMA is a voluntary membership, dues-driven organization representing professionals in local government management. Its membership is estimated at 9,000, representing roughly 20 percent of U.S. municipal management with limited international membership involvement.

Walker, University City’s first African-American City city manager, has been a member of the organization for several years. Historically, the organization has provided support and development services to its members.

“Recent decisions and lack of policy enforcement of the Association has decreased any value of membership for University City and for me personally,” Walker said in a release. “The cost for membership was at the expense of our residents and can better serve other areas.”

Like many professional organizations, ICMA is a peer-group association providing members with education and networking opportunities. Membership is not a requirement for holding city or county management positions.