Dustin Stambaugh: City Manager of Weed, California

Joseph Blackman welcomed Dustin Stambaugh, the City Manager of Weed, California, and a newly minted Doctor of Public Administration, back to the podcast where Dustin described his transition from the Midwest to leading a small, rural California municipality. Dustin discussed the significant regulatory differences between Kansas’ "home rule" and California’s heavy regulation, as well as his doctoral research into the administrative capacity challenges that prevent small towns from accessing infrastructure funding. Key talking points included his pursuit of a doctorate at California Baptist University to become a "provider of information," his advocacy for rural representation through organizations like the California Rural Water Association, and his proactive efforts to build a local workforce pipeline by partnering with community colleges for a new water and sewer training program. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.