After 23 years of public service, 13 of which with La Palma, City Manager Laurie A. Murray has announced her retirement effective Dec. 19, 2019, the city has announced in a press release.
Prior to being appointed City Manager in Nov. 2015, Murray was hired as the City’s first Administrative Services Manager in 2006 and was subsequently promoted to the Administrative Services Director position in 2014.
Among her many accomplishments as City Manager, Murray said she is the proudest of the passage of Measure JJ and the restructuring of the City’s unfunded pension obligations, both of which contributed towards La Palma’s long term financial stability; restoring positive labor relations to make La Palma a place that employees want to work; and providing a higher level of transparency and communication to the public.
Murray said that, “When I came to La Palma in 2006, I knew that I had found my professional home,” and added, “La Palma is a wonderful organization, as evidenced by the engaged and supportive community, the talented and hard-working staff, and the dedication and commitment of the City Council.” “I greatly appreciate the opportunity and privileges I have had to serve the residents and businesses of La Palma these past thirteen plus years and will always look back on these years fondly,” Murray added.
Mayor Marshall Goodman said, “Laurie has made a lasting and meaningful impression in our city,” and added, “We will miss the dedication, commitment, and leadership she has shown over the past thirteen years.” “I know I speak for the entire City Council in thanking Laurie for her exemplary public service and in wishing her the best as she moves to the next chapter of her life,” Mayor Goodman added.
Prior to La Palma, Mrs. Murray had previously worked for the cities of Aliso Viejo and Mission Viejo. Mrs. Murray earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Vanguard University of Southern California in May 2007, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Ranked by Money Magazine in 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2015 as one of America’s Best Places to Live, the City of La Palma is a 1.9 square mile general law city in northwest Orange County, consisting of 15,568 residents and approximately 300 commercial and industrial businesses. The City was incorporated in 1955 under the name of Dairyland and has 55 full-time and 35 part-time employees.