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In an era where cities face increasingly complex challenges, traditional hierarchical structures often fall short. But what if there was a way to transform every employee into a leader? What if budget decisions could come from those closest to the work? What if departmental silos could truly be broken down?
In Episode 137 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Travis Rothweiler, City Manager of Twin Falls, Idaho, shares how he’s doing exactly that through an innovative approach called the “One City” initiative.
“I have amazing executive team members that I ask a lot of,” Rothweiler explains. “Their roles are probably atypical of what you might find as a typical chief of police because of what I demand of them. And so they are demanding more of their captains or their deputy chiefs… it requires all of us to be using our minds.”
Starting as a city administrator at just 28 years old, Rothweiler’s journey to becoming a transformational leader is anything but conventional. After eight years leading Jerome, Idaho, he made what some might view as a step backward, becoming Assistant City Manager in nearby Twin Falls. This strategic move allowed him to learn from Tom Courtney, a veteran city manager with 32 years of experience. That mentorship laid the foundation for the innovative leadership approach Rothweiler would later develop.
Now in his 14th year as Twin Falls’ City Manager, Rothweiler has implemented a revolutionary approach to municipal leadership. The One City initiative breaks down traditional hierarchical barriers, empowering employees at all levels to think and lead like city managers. The results? A more engaged workforce, more innovative solutions, and better service delivery for citizens.
Perhaps most striking is Rothweiler’s approach to the city budget process. Rather than keeping financial decisions at the top, he’s created a long-term planning team of multiple employees from across the organization who work together to build the budget. “I share what I’m seeing, I share my expectations, I share my priorities of the budget, and then I completely turn it over and I walk out of the room,” he describes. This trust and empowerment have led to more innovative and comprehensive budget solutions.
The success of this approach is evident in both the city’s achievements and its culture. Twin Falls has seen significant economic development wins, but more importantly, it’s created an environment where employees at all levels feel valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully to the city’s future.
For city managers and leaders looking to transform their organizational culture, this episode offers practical insights and proven strategies. Rothweiler’s experience demonstrates that breaking down silos isn’t just about reorganizing chart boxes – it’s about fundamentally changing how we think about leadership in municipal government.
Don’t miss this compelling conversation about the future of municipal leadership. Listen to Episode 137 of The HaltingWinter Podcast with Travis Rothweiler: Listen Here –>
Ready to transform your leadership impact? Join the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) today and get 20% off an annual subscription with code “PODCAST” during January. Join Now –>
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Connect with Seth Winterhalter on LinkedIn or visit www.HaltingWinter.com for more resources.
Seth Winterhalter is President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to making stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through executive coaching, results-based consulting, and the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), HaltingWinter helps city managers and municipal leaders transform their leadership impact and their organizational culture.
