New city manager begins work in Merced

Merced’s new city manager took the helm Monday, meeting with city staff and beginning work on city business.

Steve Carrigan, 52, said the day was much like any first day for a city manager. He estimated he met about one-third of the city’s employees during a morning meet-and-greet after he was sworn in by the city clerk.

“The day has been filled with the first-day-at-school type of stuff,” he told the Sun-Star on Monday. “Typical first day, but I got to tell you I feel very comfortable here.”

After more than two years as the top administrator in Los Banos, he was named the city manager of Merced in December. The job drew more than 30 applicants and the City Council interviewed six candidates before picking Carrigan.

He said he expects a short “honeymoon period” in Merced because he already has worked with the county and many of Merced’s department directors.

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.

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.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 6:08 PM with the headline "New city manager begins work in Merced."