Here's When Watsonville's City Manager Starts New Santa Cruz Job

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Watsonville City Manager Matt Huffaker, is slated to begin his new job as Santa Cruz city manager Jan. 3.

The Santa Cruz City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday to appoint Huffaker to the position in Santa Cruz. He will earn about $22,000 per month.

He will replace Martín Bernal, who announced his retirement this year after serving as Santa Cruz city manager for about 24 years. Santa Cruz Water Director Rosemary Menard has served as city manager in the interim since Bernal retired Aug. 31.

Huffaker comes to Santa Cruz with nearly 20 years of experience in the public sector, including 15 years of leadership positions, the city of Santa Cruz said in a statement. In Watsonville, Huffaker doubled the city's general fund reserves and expanded parks, arts and recreation programs, the city said.

Huffaker was chosen from a pool of 55 applicants, six semifinalists and three finalists who were interviewed before the City Council after a recruiting firm kicked off a nationwide search for Bernal's replacement in April, according to a staff report presented to the City Council.

The City Council "was particularly impressed with [Huffaker's] breadth of creative ideas that stem from his experience, vision, and leadership values," Mayor Donna Meyers said in a statement. "We are incredibly excited about him as the recommended hire for our next City Manager."

During Tuesday's meeting, Meyers said she was excited to bring Huffaker on board as the city looks to tackle matters such as housing, affordability, rehabilitating the wharf and swimming pool, new city buildings and more.

"Matt is stepping into a very big job," Meyers said during the meeting. "His energy is contagious. There was unanimous consent from the City Council about bringing forth his nomination as our choice for city manager, and we are pleased to present him as our choice."

"Santa Cruz has tremendous opportunities before it, and I look forward to working with the Council, community and City staff to advance the many important initiatives underway," Huffaker said in a statement. "I think my local experience and established regional partnerships will allow me to hit the ground running. I’m ready to get to work."

Meanwhile, the city of Watsonville was gearing up its own search for a new city manager. The Watsonville City Council directed city workers last week to identify two companies to find an interim and permanent replacement for the city manager, Good Times reported.