Five Minutes: New City Manager John Nachbar

The search for a city manager has ended--John Nachbar will be taking over the post from Interim City Manager Lamont Ewell as early as late August. Nachbar spoke with Patch via phone from his Kansas office. 

Culver City Patch: How do you think your new job will be different from serving as city manager of Overland Park, Kansas? Culver City is a much smaller town.

John Nachbar: I'm sure there will be some differences, but I have worked in cities of different sizes--from 7,000 to 8,000 people to 500,000 people. Although the challenges at times are different, there are a great deal of commonalities in the cities.

Regardless of the size of the cities, there are always issues that are very important to the residents who live there--though there are some differences between Culver City and Overland Park. Overland Park is a suburban community in the midwest and is more spread out in terms of land area. Culver City is a bit more dense. But what sets it apart is the strong economic forces it enjoys.

Patch: What is the first thing you plan on doing when you assume your role as city manager? 

Nachbar: I will focus on developing a relationship with, and understanding the elected officials at Culver City. So far, I have known them through the interview and selection process. Now it is important for me to get to know them at a more personal level, to find out the issues and concerns and the hopes they have for the community. It's also important that I understand the key issues in the community and how residents and stakeholders will deal with those issues.

Patch: What projects have you planned for Culver City? 

Nachbar: I don't have any specific projects planned yet. It's more important that I learn what the goals and objectives are of the Mayor and the City Council, and make sure that I have a good feel and understanding of the issues that matter to the community's stakeholders.

Patch: How do you plan on dealing with long-standing city budget problems come 2011-2012 fiscal year?

Nachbar: That is of course, one of the hot-button issues in the city. Obviously, at the moment, we are dealing with financial pressures. These fiscal difficulties must be dealt with, and we will do that. But I'm reluctant to speak anything about it at this point, because I need to spend some time in the community before I commit to anything specific. 

Patch: What is the one thing you would like Culver City residents to know about you?

Nachbar: I'd like them to know that I am very service-oriented and I will be trying my best to make sure that the Culver City local government gives the highest level of service possible.

Patch: What do you love about Culver City? 

Nachbar: I'm very excited about the vibrancy and the economic activity of the city.

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