Newport Beach appoints Tara Finnigan as new assistant city manager

The city of Newport Beach announced last week that Tara Finnigan is stepping into the role of assistant city manager, a promotion from her previous role as deputy city manager where she oversaw its information technology division and library services department.

Finnigan also oversaw homeless outreach, economic and communications development programs and managed several special projects in addition to some policy development and legislative efforts on the behalf of the city manager.

She succeeds Carol Jacobs, who retired from her position in October for a job in the private sector.

Although Finnigan’s new salary was not announced, the salary range for the position is $171,970.66 to $257,920.21 annually, according to city spokesman John Pope.

Finnigan’s promotion took effect on Jan. 13. Her specific duties as assistant city manager will be determined in the coming weeks, according to City Manager Grace Leung.

“Tara is uniquely well qualified and best of all, knows and loves this community,” Leung said in a news release. “In my three years of working with her as deputy city manager, Tara has impressed me with her leadership and project management skills; deep knowledge of the organization and community; and her high level of professionalism, empathy and work ethic.”

“I know she will continue to develop her skills and positively impact the organization in her new role,” said Leung.

Prior to coming to Newport Beach in 2008, Finnigan worked for the Irvine Ranch Water District and the city of Orange.

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