Jim Bouley loves local government.

For most, the inner working of local government is a thankless bureaucracy marked by leaf collection services and property tax hikes.

But to Bouley, there’s no better job to see the results of your work, whether it’s during a walk down Main Street, a visit to the transfer station or a Sunday service at church.

“There’s nothing better,” he said. “You can be fairly nimble in local government. Sometimes it takes a little more time than you want, but you can make a difference.”

This is what’s made Bouley run again and again to represent the city of Concord. But after 26 years, with 16 at the helm as mayor, he announced in August that his run has come to an end. Come January, Mayor-Elect Byron Champlin will be sworn in.

A few numbers define Bouley’s tenure in Concord – he figures he attended 3,120 committee meetings, sat through 574 City Council and finance meetings and worked alongside 52 different members of City Council in his 26 years of service.

At his last council meeting in December, Champlin read a state proclamation to honor Bouley’s time as the 56th mayor of Concord.

“It is fitting and appropriate for the state of New Hampshire and its citizens to recognize such a remarkable record of community service,” he read.

Bouley’s fingerprints can be seen around the city. Main Street in downtown Concord is unrecognizable from what it was a decade ago after the city completed a multimillion-dollar project to renovate the area, reducing traffic lanes and widening sidewalks to make the street more enticing for visitors.

It’s one of many accomplishments noted in the state proclamation.

Improvements to Penacook Village, the Heights, the library, as well as the construction of a community center, refurbished city facilities and the growth of Concord’s tax base through the redevelopment of Horseshoe Pond round out the list.

The Main Street renovation lends itself to Bouley’s greatest day as mayor. Prior to the project, no doorways along the road were handicap accessible, he said. But when construction was complete, he watched one of the kids of a friend roll into The Works in their wheelchair.

“That was by far the coolest day ever,” he said. “We really changed not just a community, we changed people’s lives as far as I was concerned.”

He said his worst day was in 2009, when a 3-year-old girl drowned in a pool in Keach Park.

“The worst day I never want to live ever again,” he said.

Other dark days occurred, especially as the city’s refugee population grew, like when a man spray-painted racist graffiti on the homes of new Americans and a woman posted a “GO HOME” sign in her window to protest a Hindu celebration next door.

Beyond accomplishments, city spending has amplified the tax burden on young families and lower-income residents, leading some to City Council chambers asking for a less spendthrift approach.

In the eyes of councilors, Bouley has guided the city through difficult conversations and opposing viewpoints.

“Nobody can facilitate a meeting the way that you do. Nobody can facilitate consensus-building the way that you have,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, an at-large councilor. “You make sure that every person in the audience feels as if they’ve been heard.”

In working with five dozen different councilors, he has a succinct breakdown of the types of people who run for office – there are neighborhood-centric councilors and those who step back to see the big picture citywide.

“The neighborhood people keep you grounded and are really connected to the people living here,” he said. “And the citywide piece was the economic development and making sure that response times are appropriate for police and fire and those bigger social issues like homelessness and food insecurity.”

Bouley knows residents of Concord have been critical of his management at times. He’s seen Facebook remarks and sat through hours of public comments challenging the city when it comes to spending during a budget cycle. The Main Street project, for instance, included intense and often sharp debate.

And he’ll argue that when you break down a property tax bill of $8,000 to monthly payments, you get what you pay for on the city side.

“You get police protection that is phenomenal. You get fire protection, which is outstanding. You get safe roads. You get all those things,” he said. “People on fixed incomes, we have a responsibility to make sure we take care of everyone in our community. But you get a pretty good deal.”

Some decisions have been unpopular from the onset (yes, purple bags). But rarely do people acknowledge the work that goes into proposals before the monthly meeting, he said.

“One criticism that’s always been levied against local government is that government is unresponsive. Government doesn’t listen to the people … there’s no debate. That could not be further from the truth,” he said. “We’ve had good debate in council. Nothing was ever a done deal.”

The latest example was the hallmark of his final meeting, a $10.3 million proposal to renovate the clubhouse at Beaver Meadow Golf Course.

It was a full house in city council chambers, with dozens of residents present to testify against the project.

For many, it was the first time taking the microphone in front of the council. But Fisto Ndayishimiye, a community organizer for Change for Concord, has been a regular fixture at the monthly city meetings.

After Ndayishimiye asked the council to delay the clubhouse vote to the new year, which they did, he offered his own testimony on Bouley’s work in Concord from his first meeting to now.

“The first time I spoke to you, nobody understood what I was saying because my English is still poor, but I’m doing better,” he said. “But to be honest with you all, I have seen the mayor work with everyone whether it was the council or residents, making everyone feel welcome. I believe he has left a beautiful, unforgettable legacy.”

Bouley is quick to note, though, that his legacy is marked by the collaboration with city staff. And in an emotional speech at the end of his last meeting – a 4½-hour marathon in December – Bouley offered his own thanks.

First to municipal employees. The list of what they do, from police and fire departments to parks and rec, goes on and on, he said.

“You are the backbone of our city,” he said. “Whether it’s ensuring a smooth operation of our public services, maintaining our infrastructure or working tirelessly to address the needs of our community, you have consistently gone above and beyond to serve our residents.”

To his family, who sat through his marathon final meeting, Bouley recognized he missed family gatherings with his position calling for late nights and early mornings. But their support grounded his service, he said.

“Your unwavering support, your sacrifice, your love throughout this incredible journey, your presence, encouragement and understanding have been the pillars of strength that have allowed me to serve our community with dedication and passion,” he said.

He also had a message for the six new faces who will join the table in City Council chambers.

“This is a wonderful institution you’re going to be part of. Enjoy every minute of it. It will be incredibly rewarding and give back as much as you give,” he said.

And with a standing ovation, Bouley closed out nearly three decades of service.

“It has been an honor to serve you as your mayor,” he said. “Together let’s embrace the future with optimism and continue to make our city a place we’re all proud to call home. Thank you, be kind to one another, take care of one another and may our community flourish for generations to come. I love you all.”