As the City’s chief executive officer, the City Manager provides administrative direction to city departments consistent with City Council policies.

The City Manager's Office provides support to members of the City Council to enable them to concentrate on policy matters. The City Manager's Office serves as city’s primary representative to other government agencies and private organizations.

The City Manager's Office implements the policy direction of the City Council and provides professional expertise in the management of a municipal corporation. It develops, advises, and makes recommendations to the City Council on policies, programs, and various city business matters. The City Manager's Office also oversees the general management of the city and coordinates the activities of city departments in providing direct services to the community.

The City Manager’s Office include the following divisions: General Management (which includes Community Information, Outreach and Engagement, Economic Development and Arts & Cultural Affairs), Media Services, Grants Administration and the City Clerk's Office.

Meet the City Manager

Daryel Dunston (pronounced “DAR-yel” — “Dar” rhymes with “car” and “yel” like “yelling”) was appointed by the Davis City Council as the next City Manager of Davis on August 19, 2025. His first day of work is September 15, 2025. 

Dunston has almost two decades of professional experience rooted in public service. Most recently, he worked as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Santa Rosa from 2022-2025, where he oversaw Planning and Economic Development, Housing and Community Services, Information Technology, the City Clerk's Office and code enforcement operations. Dunston also served in multiple capacities with the City of Oakland, including Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Vice Mayor, Senior Planner in the Human Services Department, Operations Section Chief within Oakland’s Emergency Operations Center during the COVID-19 pandemic and Oakland’s inaugural Homelessness Administrator in the Office of the City Administrator. His public service experience also includes being a sworn firefighter, emergency medical technician and assistant fire marshal in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and senior director in the Community Impact Department at the San Francisco Foundation. 

Dunston completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia and received his graduate degree from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP). He has also served on the UC San Francisco’s Community Engagement Council, University of San Francisco’s School of Management Board of Advisors, GSPP’s Board of Advisors and was Chair of GSPP’s Alumni Board for three consecutive terms. 

Dunston enjoys cycling and writing, and he’s an avid golfer. He and his wife have two children, ages 12 and eight, and they are excited to discover the many treasures that make Davis amazing.