Fillmore’s city manager hired as Santa Maria’s top administrator
Fillmore City Manager David Rowlands is leaving to become Santa Maria’s city manager.
The Santa Maria City Council on Oct. 1 approved an employment agreement with Rowlands effective Nov. 30.
Rowlands, who has been Fillmore’s city manager for 11 years, will start his new position Dec. 2. His last day with Fillmore will be Nov. 29.
Rowlands told the Business Times Oct. 18 that he wasn’t actively looking for a new job, but saw that Santa Maria was searching for a new city manager and decided to apply.
“I feel very, very excited to be going to a larger city,” he said. “I’m going into a situation where there are a number of opportunities to grow the city.”
He said they include looking at a possible regional sports park.
As Santa Maria’s city manager, Rowlands will be making $290,000 a year, $40,000 more than he was being paid at Fillmore.
He succeeds Jason Stilwell, who retired effective Sept. 22, 2023 after six years as city manager.
Following Stilwell’s departure, Alex Posada, director of the city’s Recreation and Parks Department, served as interim city manager.
Chen Wu is the current acting city manager.
Santa Maria has about 110,000 residents while Fillmore has some 17,000 residents.
Santa Maria has a $300 million annual budget and more than 700 employees, Rowlands said.
Fillmore has an annual budget of about $32 million and approximately 45 employees, he said.
Fillmore has begun a search for a new city manager.
Assistant City Manager Erika Herrera will serve as interim city manager.
