WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – The Williams City Council on Feb. 18 appointed Yvonne Kimball as city manager, completing a leadership transition that began with the 2025 retirement of longtime City Administrator Frank Kennedy.
City Clerk Mariana Pineda administered the oath of office Feb. 18. Kimball began work the next day. Officials said the council interviewed candidates in December and in January directed staff to negotiate an employment agreement.
Police Chief Chris Miller, who served as acting city manager, said he and Finance Director Rex Greenbaum worked to keep the E Street Complete Street Project on track during the transition. He said the city had planned to seek additional funding in March but delayed the application.
“We pushed that back to give us some breathing room and give the new city manager a chance to get involved and take over steering that project,” Miller said. “I think it was the best move all the way around to keep that project moving forward.”
After taking the oath, Kimball thanked the council.
“I can’t wait to really roll up my sleeves and get some work done for the city,” she said.
Kimball has more than 20 years of municipal executive experience. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and a graduate certificate in urban and regional planning.
She served as city manager of Bowling Green, Florida, from 2008 to 2011. She later worked five years as town manager in Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona. In 2017, she became city manager of Jackson, where she served six years. City officials there said Jackson improved its financial position, secured several million dollars in grants and completed capital projects involving water and sewer systems, roads, bridges and public facilities. She left Jackson in 2023 to become city manager of Morro Bay. Her contract there ended in June 2025 on a split council vote.
Her three-year contract in Williams includes a base salary of $175,000, a vehicle allowance, relocation reimbursement and department head benefits. The agreement grants her full authority under the Williams Municipal Code.
Mayor Kate Dunlap said Kimball’s background matches the city’s priorities.
“The council is impressed by Kimball’s extensive background in local government and her focus on improving infrastructure, financial stewardship and effective public engagement,” Dunlap said.
The council also adopted a resolution recognizing “city administrator” and “city manager” as interchangeable titles to avoid conflicts with grants, contracts and municipal code references.
Kimball began overseeing operations and finances immediately. She will also manage parks improvements, the bowling alley demolition and planning work and upcoming grant applications.
A major focus will be the E Street redesign, a multiyear project supported by a $9.3 million grant from the California Transportation Commission and $1 million in federal funding. Plans call for corridor improvements from downtown to Nicholas Drive, installation of a storm drainage system to replace open ditches along the south side of E Street, new pedestrian and bicycle paths and replacement of water and sewer mains.
The revised timeline will allow Kimball to oversee the next phase, including a required median household income study.
“The community has a strong sense of pride and a clear vision for its future,” Kimball said. “I share that vision and I’m committed to working closely with the city council, residents and our dedicated city staff to build on the city’s progress.”
During the meeting, Greenbaum reported the city closed 2025 with $10.7 million in total cash and investments. The general fund balance stood at about $1.96 million after commitments. He said sales and transient occupancy tax revenues are on target and expenditures are slightly below budget. Water and sewer enterprise funds remain within expected ranges.
The council discussed shifting funds between LAIF and California CLASS to optimize returns without penalties. Dunlap directed the finance committee and Kimball to review the city’s investment mix and return with recommendations.