Ed Zuercher will be paid a salary of $415,542 as he returns to Phoenix to serve as the city manager.

He will start in the position on Monday, Nov. 17 after current City Manager Jeff Barton’s retirement takes effect on Friday, Nov. 14.

Council voted 5-4 on Wednesday to bring Zuercher back to the position. He had served as city manager from 2013 to 2021 and was succeeded by Barton when he left the city.

The Phoenix city manager remains the top-paid municipal executive in the Valley, according to compensation data compiled by Independent Newsmedia.

Barton’s total compensation in calendar year 2024 was $431,734, according to city of Phoenix payroll documents. However, that total can include compensation other than salary for some employees.

When Barton started as city manager in 2021, his

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