FILLMORE : Carpinteria Official Takes Finance Post

After almost 18 years as Carpinteria’s city manager, Allan Coates will become Fillmore’s finance director in March. He replaces Mark Ryan, who left voluntarily early this month to move to the East Coast, Fillmore officials said.

Coates lived in Fillmore from 1957 to 1962, teaching mathematics and social studies at the junior high school.

Fillmore City Manager Roy Payne said the move would mean a $15,000 cut in salary for Coates, 60, but would “broaden his knowledge and experience.” Unlike Carpinteria, a city of about 13,000, Fillmore manages its own fire protection and water and sewer systems for a population of about 11,000. Fillmore also has a Redevelopment Agency, a concept rejected by Carpinteria voters.

Coates became involved in city government after moving to Carpinteria in 1962, where he taught high school for 10 years. He was the community’s first mayor when Carpinteria incorporated in 1965 and served on the City Council for seven years.

Coates said a major change in the City Council after November’s election prompted him to leave. “It will be mutually beneficial to the council and myself to have this change of scenery,” he said.

Coates said the Fillmore position would add to his management skills, which he hopes to use as a temporary city manager in towns around the state after retirement “in a few years.” He hopes to relocate in Fillmore eventually but will commute from Carpinteria for the first year.