City of Garden City appoints Interim City Manager

Garden City, Kan.–According to a post from the City of Garden City, the Garden City Commission appointed Deputy City Manager Danielle Burke to serve as Interim City Manager at its November 3 meeting. Burke will work alongside retiring City Manager Matt Allen until his retirement on February 1, 2027, and will continue in the interim role until a permanent City Manager is selected, ensuring organizational continuity and the effective administration of City operations.

“We are proud to appoint Danielle Burke as our Interim City Manager,” said Mayor Tom Nguyen. “She has a clear pulse of Garden City and has consistently worked to improve our community.”

“Danielle is a high performing member of the senior management team and a trusted advisor to me and the City Commission,” said City Manager Allen. “She is held in high regard among local government peers throughout the state and country. Between her and the dedicated and talented employees we have throughout the City, the organization is in very capable hands!”

Burke has worked for the City since 2022 and has been Deputy City Manager since November 2025. Prior to working in Garden City, Danielle served as the Budget & Strategic Initiatives Administrator for the City of Lawrence. Burke holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas (KU) and has been recognized for her professional accomplishments by the Kansas Association of City/County Management, served as a delegate to Local Government 2030, instructs for the KU Public Management Center’s Certified Public Manager Program, and is a founding member of the Kansas Chapter of Women Leading Government.

“I am grateful for the City Commission’s trust and appreciative of Matt for his years of service and continued mentorship,” said Burke. “Our staff does a wonderful job, and my focus will be keeping operations running smoothly while the Commission conducts its search for the next City Manager.”

Although an internal candidate was selected for the interim role, the Governing Body remains committed to a competitive and transparent selection process for the next City Manager. The City is currently seeking proposals from executive search firms to assist with a national search for the next City Manager. Proposals are due November 9, and the City anticipates selecting a firm in December. Updates will be shared as they become available.