Eugene council appoints Jenny Haruyama as new city manager after national search

The Eugene City Council voted Jan. 14 to appoint Jenny Haruyama, currently Beaverton city manager, as Eugene’s next city manager after conducting a national search and public finalist interviews. An official notice posted Jan. 14 said councilors interviewed three finalists between Jan. 12 and Jan. 14 and will authorize the council president to negotiate an employment agreement with Haruyama.

Haruyama brings roughly 25 years of municipal management experience to the role, including work on governance reforms and launching an Office of Equity in Beaverton. The council’s action sets in motion contract negotiations that will determine her formal start date and compensation. Meanwhile, the city’s interim city manager will remain in the role until those details are finalized, providing operational continuity for city services.

The council’s use of a national search and a series of public interviews signals a deliberate hiring process designed to balance technical qualifications and transparency. Public finalist interviews gave residents an opportunity to observe and, where allowed by council procedures, comment on candidates before the council moved to appoint. Authorizing the council president to negotiate terms follows standard municipal practice that separates selection from contract finalization.

Institutionally, the appointment marks a transition from interim leadership to a permanent professional manager who will be charged with implementing policy set by the mayor and council, managing city staff, and steering municipal priorities. Haruyama’s background in governance reform and establishing an Office of Equity suggests she may bring an emphasis on institutional changes and equity-focused programming. That orientation could influence how the city approaches long-standing local issues such as housing, public safety, transportation, and community engagement, though specifics will depend on forthcoming negotiations and council directives.

Budgetary and policy implications remain provisional until the council and Haruyama agree on compensation and a start date. Councilors will also need to align administrative priorities with Eugene’s strategic plans and budget cycle. For residents, the selection process and upcoming contract negotiations are a moment to follow council meetings and public materials to learn how new leadership might shape service delivery and policy implementation in Lane County’s largest city.

What happens next is the formal negotiation of an employment agreement and the setting of a start date. Those milestones will determine when Haruyama begins managing day-to-day operations and advancing the city’s policy agenda. Residents should watch upcoming council agendas and staff reports for updates on contract terms, transition plans, and early priorities under the new city manager.