Council hires new Davis city manager

Steve Pinkerton, city manager of Manteca, has been chosen to take the reins at Davis City Hall, the City Council announced Tuesday night.

Pinkerton’s hiring is contingent on the formal contract approval process, Davis Mayor Joe Krovoza said.

Pinkerton, 51, was the council’s unanimous selection following a nationwide search that included pre-screening of 84 candidates by an executive recruitment firm, rounds of interviews and in-depth reference and background checks, Krovoza said.

Pinkerton succeeds Bill Emlen, who took a job with Solano County last September after serving 4 1/2 years as Davis’ city manager. Paul Navazio, assistant city manager and finance director, has been filling the job on an interim basis.

The Davis City Council will take formal action to appoint Pinkerton and approve his contract at the next City Council meeting, Monday morning.

“Steve has a very broad skill set that will guarantee Davis thrives in these challenging times,” Krovoza said in a released statement. “His experience in budget and organizational issues will serve us well, as will his expertise in planning, water, economic development and establishing partnerships with public and private entities.

“Steve’s references spoke of his exceptional integrity and his ability to unify divergent interests. He stood out in a field of exceptional candidates, and I know he gets — and is excited to work in — the uniqueness that is Davis, California.”

Pinkerton has nearly 30 years of experience in California local government, including the past three years as Manteca’s city manager. Prior to his service in Manteca, Pinkerton spent 13 years leading Stockton’s revitalization efforts. He also has held managerial positions for the Southern California cities of Long Beach and Redondo Beach.

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to serve the citizens of Davis,” Pinkerton said in a released statement. “I can’t wait to work with this dynamic City Council and a city staff that has such an outstanding reputation.

“As the son of a professor of urban sociology, I grew up in a college town and have always wanted the opportunity to work in the unique environment of a host city for a large, world-class university such as UC Davis.”

Krovoza spoke for his council colleagues in thanking Navazio and the city’s department heads for their “tireless dedication” during the transition.

“It was our confidence in Paul’s ability that allowed us to take the time we needed to conduct a thorough search,” Krovoza said. “Paul Navazio guided us on key aspects of major issues, including our new budget, water supply and treatment, fighting to keep our Redevelopment Agency, and initiating the hotel and conference center project.”

Pinkerton will be paid an annual salary of $188,000. The proposed contract includes provisions that he will pay one-quarter of the 8 percent employee contribution toward his pension and is required to take three unpaid furlough days in the upcoming fiscal year, Krovoza said.

Pinkerton’s salary and benefits may be modified to maintain consistency with changes in compensation for all management employees, the mayor added. He will not receive any city contribution toward a deferred compensation plan and will not receive an auto or technology allowance.

“The contract is similar in structure to Bill Emlen’s, and its total compensation will, at most, represent a $3,500 increase over Emlen’s last full year of 2009,” the city news release said.

Pinkerton took the helm in Manteca (population 68,410) just as San Joaquin County was becoming the foreclosure capital of the United States. Property values were dropping, municipal revenues were plummeting, and Manteca was facing a future of annual general fund budget deficits exceeding 35 percent of total revenues.

Three years later, through a combination of staffing consolidations, increased operational efficiencies and an aggressive economic development strategy, Manteca has adopted a balanced budget for the coming fiscal year.

During his tenure in Stockton, Pinkerton was responsible for developing and implementing many of the city’s successful revitalization strategies, including Stockton’s national and state award-winning downtown revitalization strategy and the Mayor’s Strong Neighborhood Initiative, which has invested nearly $100 million of public improvements in the community’s most blighted areas.

Pinkerton also administered the city’s affordable housing program, oversaw the expansion of the city’s central parking district, and developed the Neighborhood Services Division to transform code enforcement into a tool to enhance neighborhood improvement efforts.

He holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and geography from the University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as master’s degrees in economics and planning from the University of Southern California.

He and his wife, Audrey Winters, have four children ranging in age from 2 to 18. Winters is a founding partner in an environmental law firm that works solely with local public entities, emphasizing brownfields redevelopment.

Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=66838

Posted by Enterprise staff on Jul 27 2011.
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