Springfield municipality hires Ozark deputy city manager

provided by city of Springfield

Samantha Payne joins Springfield's government as development project facilitator.

The deputy city manager for Ozark's municipal government has been hired by the city of Springfield for a vacant role.

Samantha Payne started Nov. 6 as the city of Springfield's development project facilitator, according to a news release. The vacancy was created when Danny Perches late last year was promoted to assistant director of the Department of Economic Vitality.

"The opportunity to immerse myself in the dynamic world of development projects, collaborating directly with developers, designers and contractors, fuels my excitement," Payne said in the release. "Together, we will navigate the intricate landscape of the city’s development review process, ensuring efficiency and progress at every turn."

An extension of the city manager's office, the development project facilitator oversees the progress of various development projects and collaborates with developers, designers and contractors on the city's development review process.

At the city of Ozark, Payne held multiple roles over 13 years, including assistant city administrator, public information officer and parks and recreation director, according to her LinkedIn profile. In her most recent role as deputy city manager, Payne is credited in the release with managing a cost-share grant with the governor's office for the $3.2 million McCracken Bridge revitalization project and overseeing Missouri's inaugural community forest program grant from the U.S. Forest Service.