| | Published March 15th, 2023
| Moraga appoints new town manager
| | | By Vera Kochan |  | | Scott Mitnick Photo courtesy Town of Moraga |
The Moraga Town Council wasted no time in looking for a new town manager by creating an ad hoc committee, hiring an executive search firm, soliciting staff and resident feedback, and sifting through approximately 40 applicants vying for the position. The search has ended with the March 8 appointment of a new permanent town manager, Scott Mitnick.
With three decades of public service under his belt, Mitnick's professional background includes over 20 years of executive level experience, 16 of which saw him as either a city manager or county administrator. His disaster planning and emergency response experience were instrumental in helping him lead Sutter County through the Oroville Dam evacuation in 2017. Mitnick's strong background in public finance, fiscal management, public sector, and private industry experience have helped to check off many boxes on Moraga's town manager wish list.
"Scott is a consummate professional, who also is open, warm and approachable," stated Mayor Renata Sos in a recent press release. "The Council is confident that he will manage the Town offices with effectiveness and empathy and will quickly become a positive presence in our community. He is the right person to help steer the Town through our many opportunities and challenges today and in the years to come."
Mitnick personally attended the March 8 town council meeting with one of his twin sons, Michael, in the audience. He told the assembled that he takes to heart part of a 2,000-year-old Greek code of civic responsibility called the Athenian Oath: "Leave the city better than you found it." Mitnick explained that he had those words framed and always located by his office door, so that at the end of each day he looks at them and hopes that he left the community better than he found it.
Currently residing in Southern California, Mitnick has had an eye on the Lamorinda area for quite some time. When Moraga's town manager position became available, it was too good to be true. He appreciates all of the open space and hillsides, the parks, schools and overall quality of life. He's looking forward to a working partnership with Saint Mary's College, the Moraga Chamber of Commerce, the Moraga School District, and local businesses.
Besides an annual salary that is competitive with both Orinda and Lafayette's city manager positions, Moraga will help Mitnick make a permanent relocation to town by providing a housing rental allowance for six months, along with a relocation allowance to help with the move from Southern California to the town. His first day on the job will be April 10.
"I love public service," Mitnick stated. "There's nothing I'd rather do. Being a town manager, I believe, is the best job you could possibly have. Public service is a privilege, but to be a town manager is an honor." |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA