Beaumont Names Chris Boone City Manager

Twenty years of public service earned Chris Boone something most city managers never get: unanimous council support and the trust of colleagues who've watched him work.

Beaumont City Council voted 7-0 on April 7 to appoint Boone as the city's next City Manager, effective May 1, 2026. The decision followed a selection process that drew 13 applicants and narrowed to three finalists—all internal candidates who knew Beaumont's challenges because they'd been working on them. Council chose the person who'd been working on them longest.

Boone has served Beaumont since 2006, building the kind of institutional knowledge that can't be taught in orientation. He's worked under two city managers, held leadership roles across multiple departments, and served as Interim City Manager in 2022 when the city needed steady hands during transition. When this position opened, he was ready because he'd spent two decades preparing.

His current portfolio as Assistant City Manager covers Planning and Community Development, Economic Development, Public Health, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Recreation, Beaumont Public Library, and Beaumont Animal Care. That's not just a resume list. It's a network of departments that need to coordinate if a city wants to function efficiently. Boone knows how they connect because he's been connecting them.

The selection process interviewed three strong internal candidates: Assistant City Manager for Operations June Ellis, Interim Economic Development Manager Miles Haynes, and Boone. All three brought experience. All three knew the city. Council's unanimous decision reflected confidence in Boone's 20-year track record and his vision for Beaumont's next chapter.

His employment agreement sets his salary at $245,000 per year plus benefits. He replaces Kenneth Williams, who retires April 30 after three and a half years leading the city through significant challenges and growth initiatives.

Before Beaumont, Boone served as Public Works Director for the City of West Orange and Deputy Director of Land Use Administration for the City of Mobile, Alabama. He holds a Master of Urban Planning from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Alabama. He's a Certified Planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners—credentials that matter when you're shaping a city's 20-year future.

The timeline shows a city that values stability without sacrificing momentum. Williams announced his retirement in February. Applications closed February 27. Interviews happened in March. The vote happened April 7. Williams leaves April 30. Boone starts May 1. One day of transition. No gap. No uncertainty.

Beaumont didn't need to search the country for leadership. The city already had it. Council recognized that dedication, experience, and institutional knowledge matter when you're navigating complex challenges like infrastructure needs, economic development, and community priorities that sometimes compete for the same limited resources.

Boone's appointment sends a message beyond City Hall. Public service still counts. Showing up for two decades still means something. Building relationships, learning systems, and investing in your community's success still gets recognized.

May 1 doesn't just mark a new city manager. It marks Beaumont betting on someone who's already proven he'll show up for the work.