Davis Selects New City Manager

After receiving 84 resumes and conducting a nationwide search, the Davis City Council announced Tuesday night that Steve Pinkerton will become the new city manager.

Pinkerton is the current city manager of Manteca, Calif. The hire is pending a formal approval process. The council plans to formally approve the hire at a meeting on the morning of August 1st.

They are scheduled to take a month-long recess in August, so the hire will be among their final actions before that break.

“Steve has a very broad skill set that will guarantee Davis thrives in these challenging times, said Mayor Joe Krovoza in a 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 30 years of California local government experience, including three years as City Manager in Manteca, according to the city’s release. Before that he worked in Stockton, Long Beach and Redondo Beach.

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Here’s what Pinkerton had to say of his hiring:  

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to serve the citizens of Davis. 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.”

Pinkerton was supposed to make $230,000 in Manteca this fiscal year, but he voluntarily took a $65,000 cut. 

"It wouldn't be right for us (management) not to take the same hits that other city employees have been asked to take," Pinkerton said in a Manteca Bulletin article posted July 2, about three weeks before his hire in Davis. 

Krovoza thanked Interim City Manager Paul Navazio, who filled the position after Bill Emlen took a position with Solano County last September.

“The Council and I want to express our deep appreciation for the tireless dedication of our Interim City Manager, Paul Navazio, and all of our department heads and staff 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.  Paul Navazio guided us on key aspects of major issues, including our , supply and treatment, fighting to keep our , and initiating the hotel and conference center project.”

This story will be continuously updated, so check back.