Office of the City Manager

The City of Wilson is governed by a council-manager form of government, the most prevalent form of municipal governance in the United States. Under this form of government, the City Council is responsible for setting the policy and direction of the city, and the Council hires a professional manager to implement the determined direction.

The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is responsible for day-to-day operations of the city. The City Manager is the chief executive officer of the city and the head of the administrative branch of city government.

According to the City of Wilson charter, the City Manager has several duties:

• Supervises the administration of the affairs of the city
• Sees that the ordinances, resolutions, and regulations of the City Council and the laws of the state are faithfully executed and enforced
• Makes recommendations to the City Council concerning the affairs of the city
• Keeps the City Council advised of the financial condition and the future financial needs of the city
• Attends all meetings of the City Council
• Prepares and submit to the Council all reports important to the operations of the city or requested by City Council, and
• Performs all other duties as required by the City Council.

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Rodger Lentz, City Manager

Rodger Lentz serves as City Manager for the City of Wilson, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in city planning and local government leadership. Since joining Wilson in 2007, he has helped lead transformational projects that have supported the city’s growth and revitalization—including the award-winning RIDE microtransit system, a $120 million downtown redevelopment anchored by a new YMCA, and a $280 million stadium-centered project that brought the Wilson Warbirds to the community.

Before becoming City Manager in 2025, Rodger served as Assistant City Manager, overseeing key departments including Development Services, Fire and Rescue Services, Human Relations, Parks and Recreation, and Planning and Community Revitalization.

He is a former member of the national Board of Directors for the American Planning Association and a past president of its North Carolina chapter. In the Wilson community, he serves on the boards of the Wilson YMCA and Habitat for Humanity and is a member of the Wilson All American Kiwanis Club.

Rodger holds degrees in Geography from UNC Greensboro and UNC Charlotte and is a graduate of the UNC School of Government’s County Administration program.

Contact Information

Address
206 Nash Street N 
Wilson, NC 27893

Email: rlentz@wilsonnc.org