After serving nearly seven years as Moorpark’s second city manager since city incorporation and a career spanning three decades of public service, Moorpark City Manager Troy Brown has announced his intention to retire, effective June 30, 2025.
Throughout his career in local government, Brown has worked in multiple communities navigating complex budgetary challenges, implementing key infrastructure improvements across a diverse collection of municipalities and facilitating redevelopment and re-invigoration of communities. Brown’s collaborative and strategic approach to the Council-Manager form of government has assisted numerous elected officials with sound foundations to develop public policies that led to a multitude of achievements across communities he has served.
Brown noted serving Moorpark was the ‘capstone’ of his service to the public. In reflecting on his career Brown said, “Local government is the most important level of government because it’s closest to people. Each of us live our lives everyday in services provided by local government and when those services work effectively, it’s seamless to people. Beyond that, local government professionals sit in a unique position to be able to create memories that last a lifetime by creating trails, parks, and spaces that capture our most treasured moments like teaching our children how to ride their bike ride or having a safe walk to school. Good policy leads to great communities.”
Since his appointment as city manager in 2018, Brown has prioritized strategic initiatives and advanced community engagement by relying on resident input. This was evidenced through the formation and eventual adoption of the one of the most consequential documents in the Moorpark’s history, a comprehensive update to the City’s General Plan. He enhanced community relations by being visible in the community and opening channels of communication by creating a culture of service within City Hall. Brown ushered entitlements for numerous legacy housing projects that had been contemplated for many decades in Moorpark, adding housing stock and diversifying options for residents. He invested in and completed major public improvement projects, such as the Moorpark Metrolink Station parking lots and the Princeton Ave Improvement Project, and finalized the budget for, and designed, a new Moorpark City Library building. Under Brown’s leadership, a new state-of-the-art City Hall was also acquired and renovated to improve working conditions and efficiency of staff and enhance the City’s image in Ventura County. Brown developed and updated the City’s Long-Term Financial Plan, which will guide future policy decision for decades. Brown accomplished this and much more while also guiding the community and organization through the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Moorpark Mayor Chris Enegren praised Brown for his work in the City and states, “Troy stepped into the role of city manager at a pivotal time for Moorpark. With city amenities nearing the end of their life span and a clear future plan needed, he was instrumental in helping the Council and community create the framework for progress. His leadership was vital, and his incredible ability to foster collaboration and keep staff morale high has elevated Moorpark’s city departments into something much more than a group of coworkers—they are a unified, purpose-driven team. I’m sad to see him go but look forward to seeing Troy around the city because, as much of a pleasure as it was to work with him, I’m honored to have him as a friend.”
Over the course of his career, Brown has volunteered on numerous community organizations and served in various capacities in professional associations related to local government including the Municipal Management Association of Southern California and numerous committees with the League of California Cities. Brown will continue to serve as a Board Director for the MissionSquare Retirement Corp, a non-stock, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping public sector employees build financial security.
Brown graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor’s of Political Science before obtaining a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University San Bernardino. Brown began his career in local government with the City of Santa Clarita and served numerous roles in that organization in the Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department, Planning & Building Services Department, and Administrative Services Department. He then served as Assistant to the City Manager in the City of Riverside before relocating to the northern California City of Elk Grove as assistant to the city manager/budget manager. In 2009, he served as assistant city manager for the City of Livermore in Alameda County, where he served until 2014. Brown was appointed city manager of Tracy in 2014 and served in the role for three years.
Brown’s advancement of the Council-Manager form of government extends beyond California as he became the first city manager from Ventura County to serve as President of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and served as ICMA’s 107th President in 2022. He previously served on the ICMA Board and as vice president. In retirement, Brown plans to travel and spend more time with his family and wife of 33 years.