Fairfax City Approves Employment Agreement For Next City Manager

Press release from the City of Fairfax :

Laszlo Palko has been selected by the City of Fairfax City Council as their new city manager with their approval tonight of an employment agreement. Mr. Palko will begin his employment with the city on or about April 29.

“When City Manager Rob Stalzer notified City Council last year of his plans to retire March 1, we began a nationwide search,” said Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read. “We were fortunate to have a great field of candidates from which to choose. Laszlo Palko is a good fit for our urbanizing community and we look forward to his leadership as we navigate unprecedented opportunities ahead here in our city.”

Mr. Palko comes to Fairfax after serving since June 2017 as the city manager of Manassas Park, Va. In Manassas Park, Mr. Palko was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day and strategic executive management of city departments and developing and recommending policies, strategies, annual budget, and ordinances for the governing body’s approval, as well as managing the execution of the city budget and capital improvement program. Manassas Park was in fiscal distress watch when he arrived, and he helped lead its financial turnaround from a negative fund balance and no credit rating to a $16M+ fund balance (25%+ of operating revenues) and a AA credit rating.

Prior to joining Manassas Park, Mr. Palko had more than 10 years of public and private sector management experience including previously serving as the Town Manager of Lovettsville, Va., as a financial consultant for IBM, and as a management consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton. Mr. Palko began his career serving as an Army officer from 2005-2010. He earned the rank of captain and was awarded the Bronze Star serving two tours of duty in Afghanistan as part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Community Reception for the new City Manager Mr. Laszlo Palko tomorrow May 2nd from 5p.m.-7p.m. at the Stacey C. Sherwood Center 3740 Blenheim Blvd. Fairfax, Virginia. Hope to see you there!@CityofFairfaxVA pic.twitter.com/SWKmtrP7UV
— Fairfax City Police (@FairfaxCityPD) May 1, 2024

"I am honored and grateful to the Fairfax City Council for giving me the opportunity to serve as city manager for such a wonderful community with such a great and talented team of professionals on city staff,” said Mr. Palko. “I look forward to working for the city council and helping them achieve their goals for the community. I am eager to engage with and provide high quality service to city residents and cannot wait to provide my support to an amazing city staff as we work collectively to accomplish our shared mission to serve our great city."

Council Member Jeff Greenfield, the longest serving member of the Fairfax City Council, is enthusiastic about the skills and experience Mr. Palko brings to the position. “He’s got a passion for the budget process that is impressive, and he is the first bilingual city manager we have hired. His fluent Spanish will be valued in our community and he is committed to being out in our city meeting people where they are.”

Mr. Palko earned a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University where he concentrated on local government administration.

Fairfax City Deputy City Manager Valmarie Turner has been named acting city manager until Mr. Palko steps into his new role.

This press release was produced by the City of Fairfax. The views expressed here are the author’s own.