City announces hire of new deputy city administrator

The City of Coeur d’Alene has hired Sam Taylor, a native of the community, to be the next deputy city administrator.

Taylor brings more than a decade of experience in journalism and public administration to the city, where he will be responsible for, among many things, internal and external communications, city liaison to the Arts Commission and CDA 2030, accountable for city parking issues, assisting with supervision of departments and helping with special projects.

A graduate of Coeur d’Alene High School and the University of Idaho, Taylor was the top candidate after a nationwide search for the new employee, said City Administrator Jim Hammond.

“The city hopes to greatly expand its community engagement and believed the chosen candidate would be the right person to assist with that,” Hammond added.

Taylor has worked at five newspapers in Idaho and Washington before transitioning to a public service career in local government. In that capacity, the new deputy worked as both the city clerk and community information officer and assistant city administrator for Ferndale, Wash., and comes to Coeur d’Alene after working the last year as the deputy city manager for the City of Morro Bay, Calif.

“I’m grateful and honored to be working for the community I grew up in,” Taylor said. “Coeur d’Alene is a special place and I appreciate this opportunity to help the community prosper.”

Taylor begins June 13 and will earn $94,632 annually. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UI and a Master of Public Administration degree from Kent State University.