Cloverdale City Manager David Kelley to leave role after six years

Cloverdale City Manager David Kelley will be leaving his role as the city’s chief administrator. The city made the announcement via email and on its website on Thursday.

“I thank the council and the community for the tremendous opportunity to serve as your city manager,” Kelley said in a press release. “I look forward to seeing Cloverdale continue to prosper and wish the utmost success to the council and community as you tackle the challenges that lie ahead.”

Kelley first joined the City of Cloverdale in February 2016 as the assistant city manager/community development director. He was promoted to the city manager in March 2018.

During his tenure, Kelley helped lead the city council through significant challenges, including multiple wildfires, an extended drought, the COVID-19 pandemic and budgetary pressures caused by inflation.

Kelley also oversaw updates to park amenities, including the construction of a pickleball court, basketball courts, plaza restrooms and dog park. He also led an effort to improve and enhance the resiliency and emergency preparedeness of the community through the establishment of the Resilient Cloverdale and CloveReady emergency preparedness initiatives.

Most recently, Kelley worked with the city council to prepare for the upcoming election cycle. Under his guidance, the city council is placing two initiatives on the Nov. 5 ballot, including an update to the city’s urban growth boundary as well as a 3/4-cent sales tax measure.

“David was a strong leader throughout our times of drought, flood and pandemic,” Mayor Todd Lands said in an email. “David's knowledge and professionalism is second to none and will be missed by myself and his staff. I wish David many successes and look forward to working with him again in the future.”

Kelley will serve as city manager until Dec. 20, 2024. The city will hold a recruitment process to choose the next city manager.

Amie Windsor is the Community Journalism Team Lead with The Press Democrat. She can be reached at amie.windsor@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5218.