City Manager

Phone: (541) 929-6148
Fax: (541) 929-3044
Location: City Hall, 980 Applegate St., Philomath, OR 97370
Mailing address: PO Box 400, Philomath, OR 97370
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

City Manager’s Primary Responsibilities
The City Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the city, ensures City Council policies and directives are carried out, and supervises and coordinates the work the various departments and employees.

The City Manager is the liaison between the City Council, advisory boards/commissions and staff; preparing the Council agenda materials for Council meetings; preparing regular and special management reports; processing citizen inquiries/complaints and service requests; working with citizens and the media for public relations and information programs; working with other agencies of government including the League of Oregon Cities, other municipalities, the Council of Governments, and state, county and federal government agencies.

The City Manager is responsible for the enforcement of ordinances and expenditure of funds in accordance with the budget as adopted by the City Council. The Manager acts as the Planning Official in administering the City’s land use program, supervises all purchases; operation of all City-owned facilities and property; executes all contracts; enforces the provisions of the City’s personnel policies; and supervises the preparation of the annual budget. It is also the responsibility of the Manager to make recommendations to the Council on legislation, financial programs, capital improvements, and other administrative matters.

The City Manager's office also is responsible for coordinating with the Benton County Development Department and the Philomath Planning Commission to accomplish planning functions and services for the City and its urban growth area. Functions and services include processing land subdivisions, annexations, rezoning, comprehensive plan maintenance/review and compliance, system development charges, building permits and inspections, the Urban Renewal District and other land use and planning related functions.

City Manager Chris Workman

Chris Workman was hired as the Philomath City Manager in April 2014. His prior experience in city government included time at Veneta, Oregon and Spanish Fork, UT.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Western Oregon University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Brigham Young University. He is an active member of the International City Manager’s Association and the Oregon City County Manager’s Association. Chris was elected to serve as president of the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo, Inc. from 2015 to 2018 and now serves on the Board of Directors. Since moving to Philomath he has also volunteered as a youth coach for Philomath Youth Activities Club (PYAC).

A lifelong Oregon resident, Chris graduated from North Salem High School and served a two-year church mission in Brazil. Shortly after his mission, he married his high school sweetheart, Jenny, and the two began raising their family, which now comprises of eight children. When away from the office, he is found sprucing things up at the rodeo grounds, attending his kids’ sporting, scout and church events, or recreating in one of his favorite campgrounds.