Background | Responsibilities | Position Overview

Biography

Del D. Borgsdorf has been working in public management at the state and local government level for 36 years. He became City Manager for the City of San José in September 1999.

Prior to his work here, Mr. Borgsdorf worked for the City of Charlotte, North Carolina for nine years, serving as Assistant City Manager and Deputy City Manager. As Charlotte's Deputy City Manager, he coordinated economic development programs, participated in financial planning, worked directly with the City Manager in the implementation of city policy, and served as the chief operating officer.

Mr. Borgsdorf also had extensive experience working as a City Manager in cities in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Iowa. As City Manager in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he worked extensively on police community relations in a city dominated by the state's largest university — the University of Michigan, with more than 38,000 students. He served as president of the Michigan Association of City Managers, and has spoken extensively in the United States on the subjects of economic development, financial management and neighborhood service delivery.

In addition to his city experience, Mr. Borgsdorf served for several years as the Director of State and Local Government Consulting for Coopers and Lybrand, one of the world's largest professional services firms. In this position, he consulted throughout the nation on government problems including productivity improvement, privatization and public safety delivery. His work with state and local governments included organizational development, transportation policy and economic development.

Mr. Borgsdorf holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan. He was an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and San Jose Stae University, teaching such courses as Public Sector Problem Solving, Legal and Institutional Foundations of Public Administration, and Public Administration and the Political Process.

In his role as City Manager, Mr. Borgsdorf is responsible for the day-to-day oversight and management of all City departments, including: Police, Fire, Mineta San Jose International Airport, Public Works, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, Convention Arts and Entertainment, Environmental Services, San Jose Public Library and others.

In addition to oversight of all City operations, Mr. Borgsdorf is responsible for directing the development and implementation of the City's Operating and Capital Budgets, which combined, total over $3 billion annually and includes 7,000 employees.

As provided for by the City Charter and in accordance with policies and direction of the City Council, the City Manager is the chief administrative officer of the City. This position is responsible for the enforcement of all laws and ordinances, coordination of all municipal programs and executive supervision of all City departments, agencies, and offices.