Wichita City Manager Robert Layton announced Wednesday that he would retire at the end of 2025, after more than 16 years on the job.
Layton, who was hired in 2009, has worked under four Wichita mayors and 21 different City Council members.
“Earlier today, I informed the Mayor and City Council of my plans to retire on December 31, 2025, and I wanted to inform you directly as well,” Layton said in an email to city employees. “I am honored to have served as Wichita’s City Manager for 16 years and to have worked in local government for 47 years. During that long career, I have served many dedicated elected officials who have cared only about making their communities a better place to live and work, and I thank each of them for their support and commitment to good government.”
During his tenure, Layton noted, the city has constructed the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, the Advanced Learning Library, the Multi-Agency Center, splash pads and pools, an eastside Police substation, Equity Bank Park, a water treatment plant, a sewage treatment plant and other facilities.
Layton added that “good government is about far more than infrastructure and development” and said it “has been inspiring to be part of your hard work and dedication to public safety, housing for the disadvantaged, enhanced literacy, a fair and accessible judicial system, a diversified economy and expanded job opportunities, park and recreation opportunities, an improved public transit system, a functional street network, safe drinking water, and so much more.”
Layton, who earned degrees from Drake and Syracuse Universities, served as city manager for Urbandale, Iowa, from 1984 to 2009 for Urbandale, Iowa. He was the assistant to the city manager in Des Moines from 1980 to 1984.
Layton said he was announcing his retirement plans early to allow the mayor and City Council time to select a new manager. He and his wife, Beth, plan to remain in Wichita, Layton said, “and I look forward to working on projects that will continue to make this community a special place.”
