Merced has selected a City Hall insider to serve as its next city manager. Scott McBride will take the reins on Nov. 16 at a yearly salary of $240,000.
“Scott has spent the past several years learning the city from the inside out,” Mayor Matthew Serratto said in a news release. “He has the passion and knowledge to continue our important work in one of California’s fastest-growing cities.”
“Scott has a heart for this community,” said outgoing city manager Stephanie Dietz said. “His experience, combined with his forward-thinking approach to affordable housing, infill, commercial, and retail development initiatives, will continue to foster a climate that will be beneficial as Merced grows.”
McBride is the Director of Development Services where he oversees Merced’s planning, building and housing departments. According to the city, he has helped secure over $72 million for affordable housing projects. Since 2020, the city has added around 700 new single-family homes annually and 400 multi-family housing units. Through partnerships with builders, the city is expecting 1,000 more affordable housing units by 2024.
McBride grew up around Merced. He earned a bachelor’s in environmental studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a master’s of public administration from California State University, Stanislaus. He began working for Merced in 2017 after serving as community development director and interim city manager of Atwater.
“I am honored the City Council selected me to serve as the City Manager, and I will strive to give my best to the community where I grew up,” McBride said in response to the council’s unanimous vote.
“I believe in the profound impact well-developed programs and services can have on a community. Our team will continue to build on the very productive work underway as we strive to create a transparent, responsive government that serves our city’s residents, businesses, and stakeholders.”
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