Justin Clifton
Justin Clifton, City Manager of Sedona, Arizona for the past six years, has been selected by the City Council to be the next Palm Springs City Manager.
The City Council has authorized the City Manager Selection Subcommittee, comprised of Mayor pro tem Lisa Middleton and Councilmember Dennis Woods, along with the City Attorney to begin negotiating Clifton’s contract, which will be presented to the full City Council at their Thursday, Feb. 11 meeting.
City Manager David Ready will continue to serve until Clifton begins his new position in early April.
In Sedona, some of Clifton’s accomplishments include spearheading the creation of a master transportation plan including road projects, bike/pedestrian improvements and creation of a mass transit program, creating Sedona’s first ever economic development, affordable housing and sustainability programs, partnering with the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau to pioneer a sustainable tourism plan and expanding the development of a national award-winning resident engagement program.
In addition, Clifton currently serves as President-Elect of the Arizona City/County Management Association and has participated in numerous professional development opportunities including the Harvard Executive in State and Local Government Program.
“The entire City Council is extremely impressed by Justin’s energy and enthusiasm for Palm Springs and the values that make our City unique,” said Mayor Christy Holstege.
“He was selected for his insight into the future of the City, commitment to community engagement, interest in investing in residents and neighborhoods, expertise in economic development, experience in a thriving tourism economy and his strong financial acumen,” said Mayor pro tem Middleton, who served on the Selection Subcommittee.
“We believe that in Justin Clifton we have a new and vibrant leader of City Hall and our community,” said Councilmember Dennis Woods, who also served on the Subcommittee.
Prior to Sedona, Clifton served for three years as City Manager in Delta, Colorado and as the Town Manager of Bayfield, Colorado for five years.
He is a graduate of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and holds a Masters in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Colorado.
“My family and I are incredibly excited to move to Palm Springs,” said Clifton. “I am humbled and honored to be selected for this position and look forward to working with the City Council, the community and staff at City Hall.”
Clifton and his wife Shelley are the parents of two children, a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. They will also be bringing Loki, their half Italian Mastiff and Rottweiler.