Morro Bay hires deputy city manager

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the newspaper at which Sam Taylor worked; it was the Bellingham Herald in Bellingham, Wash. Also, the university where he got his bachelor's degree was incorrect; he earned his degree at the the University of Idaho.

Starting June 1, Morro Bay will have a deputy city manager, a newly created position that will include duties such as upgrading the city’s website and computer systems, as well as doing community and economic outreach.

Sam Taylor, currently the assistant city administrator in Ferndale, Wash., was chosen by Morro Bay earlier this month to fill a variety of needs as the city works toward 73 identified goals to achieve in 16 months.

The broad objectives include improving Morro Bay’s economy, efficiency and tourism activities.

Taylor’s contract was ratified with a unanimous vote at the Morro Bay City Council’s May 12 meeting, although a council ratification wasn’t legally required because he was hired by the city manager. Taylor will earn an annual salary of $113,000 plus benefits.

The city won’t incur a financial loss because it’s not filling the position vacated by Joe Woods, who was dismissed in April as director of Morro Bay's Recreation and Parks Department. He was making $118,000 per year.

City Manager Dave Buckingham said Taylor’s hire is unrelated to Woods’ departure. Buckingham said that he’s now assessing who may supervise recreation services, and is considering the community development manager, police chief or the new deputy city manager for that role.

Buckingham said Taylor will help fill major “staff gaps.”

“I am excited to welcome Sam to the team of professionals on the Morro Bay staff,” Buckingham said. “His skills in the areas of economic outreach, public engagement and IT are critical to helping us achieve the ambitious and laudable goals the council has laid out for us.”

Taylor worked as a local government newspaper reporter for five years, writing for the Bellingham Herald in Bellingham, Wash. He has worked for five years in city government work in Ferndale, starting as the city clerk before being promoted. Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of Idaho and is in the process of earning a master’s degree in public administration from Kent State University.

Taylor said his role in Ferndale has been to “provide information for elected officials to make their best decision” as well as to inform constituents so when they speak on an issue “they knew what was going on.”

“I strongly believe in community conversation and to keep the dialogue going,” Taylor said. In response to Morro Bay’s council objective of “substantial public engagement,” Taylor will be tasked with duties such as public communications in utility mailers, surveys, social media and monthly newsletters, as well as media interaction.

Taylor already has been assigned to revamp the city’s outdated website so users can more easily find information about Morro Bay. He undertook a similar upgrade in Ferndale.

“We rebuilt the entire system here,” Taylor said. “We learned what it took to get the community what it needed.”

This story was originally published May 23, 2015 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Morro Bay hires deputy city manager."