Merced plucks city manager from Los Banos

Merced’s City Council unanimously approved a contract for the next city manager Monday, leaving Los Banos with a position to fill.

Steve Carrigan, 52, has about 20 years of experience as a public employee, including nearly three years as the top administrator in Los Banos.

He’s set to start in Merced on Jan. 25, and will earn $190,000 plus benefits under the terms of his three-year contract.

Merced is at a place where it could “transform,” he said, pointing to UC Merced’s plans for a $1 billion expansion to accommodate 10,000 students by 2020. He also noted the city has been identified for a stop from the state’s high-speed-rail effort.

“With my background in economic development, those were the two projects that really got my attention,” he said. “The more I looked into the city of Merced and what they were doing at City Hall, I got really interested in the current projects.”

The city is working on developing an 80-acre retail center, extending Campus Parkway and finding ways to improve downtown.

As a leader in Los Banos, Carrigan said, he has worked with Merced County supervisors and other public employees, as well as with Merced’s city employees – a connection he believes helped set him apart from other candidates.

“I know they were looking for somebody that could hit the ground running,” he said. “I think I need just a really short honeymoon period to meet the people I haven’t had a chance to meet yet.”

He was the assistant city manager of Sanger before coming to Merced County. Before that, he spent eight years as economic development director in Stockton.

During his time in Stockton, four large shopping centers were built in the city.

Carrigan also is a member of county transportation boards and is chairman of the Continuum of Care, a coalition of homeless advocates and service providers.

He said he looks forward to developing a long-term plan for improving the community by meeting with school and business leaders, churches and other community organizations.

The Merced city manager job drew 31 applications. Councilman Kevin Blake said the process was rigorous.

“I could tell you very confidently that Steve was the clear choice,” Blake said. “I’m excited to have him, and I think the city of Merced is lucky to have him.”

Carrigan said Los Banos has faced many of the same issues Merced continues to see. Both cities are without a revenue-sharing agreement with Merced County, and each faces high crime, growing homeless numbers and a lack of jobs.

He steps into an improving economy here, experts have said, but the city’s general fund of $36.8 million this year is still short of the 2007 level, which was $39.3 million.

Mayor Stan Thurston touted Carrigan’s experience during the City Council meeting.

“This man is pro-business, pro-economic development,” he said, speaking to the audience. “You’re going to like this guy. I guarantee it.”

Carrigan, who lives in Los Banos, said he plans to move his family to Merced, most likely at the end of the school year.

Los Banos’ City Council called a special meeting this week to begin the search for a consulting firm, which will look for that city’s next manager.

This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 10:39 PM with the headline "Merced plucks city manager from Los Banos."