In all the best ways, being a good city manager means being a certain kind of nerd, and apparently our fair burgh has the fairest of them all. Corvallis City Manager Mark Shepard has now received what’s called a Herman Kehrli Award.
It’s a big deal. Awarded by the League of Oregon Cities, or LOC, the recognition goes to only one city employee statewide each year, and this year, that total badass happens to serve right here in Corvallis. It’s a prestigious award that recognizes public servants that have made exceptional contributions to local government and produced lasting benefits for their community.
The announcement came just this last weekend at the League of Oregon Cities annual conference. The conference itself was also notable, being the hundredth annual.
About Shepard
Shepard’s award comes as he marks 10 years as city manager in Corvallis. Over the last decade, the City of Corvallis has been seen as making material strides toward increased fiscal stewardship. Under Shepard’s leadership, the City identified and implemented a number of revenue and funding measures to support vital community services. Corvallis also weathered the pandemic without the hiring freezes and layoffs that other cities experienced.
Shepard remained focused on long-term needs as well. In 2021, the City launched a multi-year facilities project to address decades of under-investment in key public buildings in Corvallis. An increasing focus on housing production has helped Corvallis add nearly 350 units of affordable multifamily housing in recent years, with more on the way.
“Serving the Corvallis community, a place I have called home for the past 33 years, is an honor,” Shepard said. “I consider success a team sport, and the City is served by an amazing team of dedicated staff. It is my privilege to lead the organization that delivers vital services each and every day to our community.”
Council is unique
The unique structure of the Corvallis City Council — all nine council seats are on the ballot every two years — means that Shepard has had the distinction of working with 30 different elected officials over the last decade. That’s 28 Councilors and two Mayors. That perspective has helped him understand the benefits of remaining focused on strategic planning to ensure sustainable community services and efficient City operations.
About the Herman Kehrli Award
From 1933 to 1966, Herman Kehrli served as executive secretary of the League of Oregon Cities and director of the University of Oregon’s former Bureau of Governmental Research and Service. His work set the standard for excellence for local government officials in Oregon, and the League of Oregon Cities gives out an annual award in Kehrli’s honor to celebrate those who continue that work.
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