Interim City Manager Hired

Feb. 28 meeting, just in time for the existing city manager’s departure for the private nonprofit sector.

City Manager Scott Collins, whose last day in Morro Bay was March 3, announced the hiring of Greg Carpenter to fill in for him while the City Council works through a hiring process that’s already begun with the hiring of a consultant to walk the city through the hiring process. Carpenter was slated to start work after the council approved his contract at its Feb. 28 meeting.

Mayor Carla Wixom is pleased Carpenter agreed to step in.

“We are thankful that Mr. Carpenter will be able to serve the community as interim city manager, while we work with a recruiter to search for the next city manager,” Wixom said. “I believe Mr. Carpenter will be a good fit for the interim position, as he understands our region and has previously served as a city manager for a coastal California community.”

Carpenter comes to Morro Bay after serving as the interim city manager in Paso Robles since 2021, after that city's search for a new full-time manager took longer than expected.

Carpenter “brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the City of Morro Bay,” Collins said in a news release, “having served as a City Manager and Director of Planning and Building Safety for the City of El Segundo [in Los Angeles County]. Prior to that, he served as Zoning Administrator and Planning Bureau Manager for the City of Long Beach. Most recently, he served as the Interim City Manager for Paso Robles.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve,” Carpenter said, “during this interim period while the City Council selects the next permanent city manager for Morro Bay. I’m looking forward to working with the council, city staff, and the community to continue the projects and efforts that are underway, and set the stage for a smooth transition for the new city manager.”

Carpenter said his door will be open.

“Please feel free to reach out and contact me with any comments, concerns, or questions,” he said. “I look forward to hearing from you.”

Carpenter attended Cal State Long Beach, earning a Bachelor of Arts in geography and a Master’s degree in public administration.

Carpenter’s hiring comes after the City Council agreed to contract with head-hunter firm, Mosiac, to conduct the recruitment and screening of applicants. How long they will take has not been announced, as such recruitments can take several months, depending on the size of the pool of applicants.