Office of the City Administrator

The citizens of Laurel are our most important asset. Our goal is to provide our citizens with the best possible government. To ensure our commitment to citizen service, we will:

  • Respond to all inquiries, requests for service, or complaints in a prompt, courteous, compassionate, and professional manner;
  • Treat each citizen with respect, dignity, and courtesy, and keep waiting time to a minimum;
  • Provide citizens with accurate and clearly defined information or procedures or direct them to the proper authority;
  • Treat each individual and their needs, equally;
  • Make it our duty to continually improve our employees' professional ability to maintain the highest level of citizen satisfaction available
  • Ensure that the taxpayer's dollars are spent in the most economical and prudent fashion, staying within the guidelines set forth by the Mayor and City Council, the City Auditors, and the Association for Government Accounting Standards Board, keeping in mind the public's trust in this office to account for every dollar spent.

If you have questions or comments or need information from the City Administrator's Office.

About the City Administrator

The City Administrator is appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Laurel City Council, and serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Laurel.

The City Administrator directs and coordinates the general administration of the City government. The operations of each department are monitored to assure compliance with policies and legislation established by the Mayor and City Council. Responsibilities include the preparation and submittal of the annual budget, advising the Mayor and City Council on the financial condition and needs of the City and authorizing all purchases required under the Charter.

In addition to the day-to-day management of the City government, the City Administrator is responsible for insurance management, budget administration, Capital Improvement Program preparation, personnel, public safety and emergency management and Public Information and Community News and Information Office, cable television liaison, and other projects and activities as assigned by the Mayor. The City Administrator serves as Executive Officer to the City of Laurel Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, the Laurel Historic District Commission, and the Laurel Ethics Commission. The City Administrator also oversees other boards, committees and commissions. Please click here to access the City Boards, Committees, and Commissions page for more information.

Christian Pulley, CPM

City Administrator

Ms. Christian L. Pulley is the first African American to hold the position of City Administrator in the history of City of Laurel! She is a Certified Public Manager (CPM) and began her tenure with the City in 2008. She has held several positions in the Economic and Community Development Department, including Director. In her most recent role as Deputy City Administrator, she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City.

Prior to joining the City of Laurel, Ms. Pulley worked as an Outreach Associate with the National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) in Washington, D.C. In this role, she worked with Coalition members in 16 states and the District of Columbia on membership matters and affordable housing policy.

Ms. Pulley is a graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education, the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, Leadership Maryland and a host of other executive training programs. She also holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Morgan State University, as well as a BA in Urban Studies from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. 

Ms. Pulley is an active member of Leadership Maryland, Maryland Municipal League, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and serves on the Maryland Humanities Board.

Ms. Pulley is a New Jersey native, who loves to travel and attend live musical performances in her free time. She is also a Maryland Daily Record Top 100 Women honoree.

Nekesa Matlock

Deputy City Administrator

Ms. Nekesa Matlock was appointed Deputy City Administrator by Mayor Keith R. Sydnor and confirmed by the Laurel City Council at the July 14, 2025, Mayor and City Council Meeting. Ms. Matlock has been in the field of education for 17 years, with the last 4 years as an Administrator. 

Ms. Matlock received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina and received her Master’s Degree in Education Administration at Trinity University in District of Columbia. 

As she begins her journey with the City of Laurel, she says she eagerly anticipates meeting the residents and business owners of the Laurel community, and is excited to share her expertise to contribute to making Laurel a vibrant place to live, work, and thrive.

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