Beaumont Approves Contract to Hire Redlands Assistant City Manager Chris Boatman As Its Next City Manager

By David James Heiss

Redlands News Collective

Photo by David James Heiss

Chris Boatman gets a promotion — in Beaumont.

Chris Boatman was advised by former Community Development Director Jeff Shaw back in 2007 that he was being offered the entry level position of junior city planner, and that, if Boatman took the job, he’d likely be laid off in the near future. 

Boatman, a 1999 Arrowhead Christian Academy graduate who had been working in marketing at Esri for the previous few years, was willing to take the risk. He had seen how interesting urban planning could be and enjoyed a job that made a direct impact on the community.
Fortunately, in the sweep of layoffs that hit the city less than a month later, most of the city’s planning staff remained intact. Over the next two decades, Boatman had a steady climb through the ranks and departments, overseeing planning, housing, trail projects, recreation and parks planning, the Redlands Municipal Airport, capital projects, street maintenance, solid waste collections, the city’s cemeteries and utilities, and Market Night.
He has come far from his humble beginnings running his own retail venture, Quicklist, where he and five employees helped customers list items on eBay. 
He sold that company in 2005, about a year after starting it. 
In 2021, City Manager Charles Duggan invited him to become the assistant city manager.
On April 7, the Beaumont City Council approved a three-year contract for him to succeed Elizabeth Gibbs as the next city manager. Starting May 11, Boatman will earn an annual salary of $320,000, plus benefits.
He will be working in a city where he previously lived for several years. 
Boatman, who lives in Yucaipa, looks forward to the new opportunity.

“Redlands will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s the community that shaped me, and having the chance to serve here has been humbling and deeply rewarding,” Boatman said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together."
“I look forward to bringing that same level of dedication to Beaumont. The city’s growth, opportunity and forward momentum are exciting, and I’m truly honored by the confidence and trust that Beaumont's City Council has shown me.”

Beaumont City Councilman Mike Lara read from a statement explaining that Boatman was simultaneously attending the Redlands City Council meeting while Beaumont held theirs Tuesday night, April 7.

“We look forward to seeing him in person during our meeting on May 5 when he will be swearing in Chris as our new city manager,” Lara said. “He asked me to pass along, to let us know, that he is very excited about the opportunity to serve Beaumont community.”

Boatman’s contract was approved unanimously 5-0.