King City names new city manager

King City has announced its new city manager, set to take over after current City Manager Michael Powers leaves in November.

Mayor Rob Cullen announced Steven Adams has been selected as the next city manager. He will formally start his new job on November 9th, but will participate in a community meet and greet during a City Council meeting on October 27.

Cullen said Adams comes to King City with more than 32 years in local government administration experience in Glendale, Westlake Village and Arroyo Grande.

Adams underwent a lengthy interview process, including a detailed background check. Cullen said a recruiting firm worked to identify the best candidates and later a community panel also reviewed those options. Adams was chosen as the most qualified candidate for the job, according to Cullen.

Adams served as City Manager in Arroyo Grande for more than 14 years. During that time, Cullen said Adams worked to upgrade the city’s facilities and infrastructure, increased financial stability and helped develop new businesses and affordable housing.

Adams was also the subject of two internal investigations within Arroyo Grande’s City Administration, after an accusation of an inappropriate relationship with an employee, Cullen said. During both investigations, Cullen said Arroyo Grande city leaders determined Adams didn’t participate in an inappropriate relationship and didn’t break any city policies. He said the incident didn’t disqualify Adams from being selected as the right person for King City.

Cullen said Adams will be paid $152,000 annually and doesn’t speak Spanish, but is working to learn the language.