Novato Hires New City Manager

NOVATO, CA — A city manager has been hired for the city of Novato, the City Council announced Wednesday a news release. Selected from a field of 30 applicants, Regan Candelario will serve as the city's seventh city manager since its incorporation in 1960.

Candelario, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and attended Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, will begin his new role Oct. 24 leading the northern Marin County city of 54,749 residents which has operating and capital budgets for Fiscal Year 2016-2017 totaling $65 million.

"We are extremely pleased to have Regan join us," said Mayor Pat Eklund. "He distinguished himself during a rigorous screening and interview process and will bring excellent skills and experience to the city of Novato. We are excited about working with him and the community in achieving our goals."

Candelario has served as the city manager for the Northern California city of Fortuna, population 10,497, since 2012. From 2010 to 2012, he was the city administrator for the city of Guadalupe, population 7,080, in Santa Barbara County.

"I am excited about this opportunity, " said Candelario, who has three children with his wife of 26 years, Shelley. "Novato is a wonderful city with great people. I am honored to be continuing my local government career in Novato and very much look forward to working with the people of Novato and leading the already successful City organization."

Candelario has a master’s degree in public administration from Califronia State University, Long Beach. He also obtained the credentialed manager designation from the International City Manager Association and has served on several policy and advocacy committees with the League of California Cities.

Candelario’s experience also includes three years as a project consultant for redevelopment agencies and 17 years with the city of Santa Ana, population 329,427, where he was promoted to community development district manager of District One with responsibility for the coordination of multiagency services to Santa Ana’s residents, businesses and community-based organizations.

Assistant City Manager Cathy Capriola has been serving as interim city manager by appointment of the Novato City Council since January, following the departure of former City Manager Michael Frank.

"We were and are truly fortunate to have someone of her caliber serve our community," Mayor Eklund said.

The City Council retained the services of Bob Murray & Associates, which specializes in public sector executive recruitments, to help coordinate the process of finding a new city manager. With BMA’s assistance, the Council narrowed a field of 30 applicants to five, who were invited to participate in interviews with three assessment panels.

Two of the panels were comprised of community members appointed by the City Council, while the third panel included city employees. One of the community panels included a local city manager, who provided perspective on the candidates as someone in the profession.

The City Council as a whole also interviewed the five candidates. After the first round of interviews, the Council invited two of the candidates, including Candelario, back for a final interview.

The City Council will formally take action on Candelario’s employment agreement at its next regular Council meeting on Aug. 16. Candelario’s annual salary will be $191,340.

Community events are being planned to welcome Candelario and his family to Novato. City officials said information about the events will be provided to the community when available.