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Merritt Recognized by International City/County Management Association

Merritt Recognized by International City/County Management Association
Posted on 10/05/2021
Mallory Merritt was Recognized by International City/County Management Association as the recipient of the organization’s 2021 Early Career Leadership Award in Memory of William H. Hansell, Jr.

October 5, 2021 – Mallory Merritt, Assistant City Administrator and Chief Financial Officer, was honored by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) as the recipient of the organization’s 2021 Early Career Leadership Award in Memory of William H. Hansell, Jr.  ICMA’s Early Career Leadership Award in Memory of William H. Hansell Jr. recognizes an outstanding early-career local government professional who has demonstrated leadership, competency, and commitment to local government as a profession.  

In 2013 Merritt joined the City of Davenport through ICMA’s Local Government Management Fellowship program after completing an MPA degree at Auburn University. As a Fellow, she served as Budget Management Analyst. Merritt was subsequently promoted to increasingly responsible positions and currently serves as the Assistant City Administrator/CFO.

When Merritt was asked to reflect on her initial role with the City, she emphasized the value of involvement with the budget, noting that it provided an opportunity to learn the City’s key service areas, understand the importance of transparency, develop relationships in the organization, and dial in on her technical skills.

During her tenure with the City, Merritt has led numerous projects that have had an impact across the entire organization including:

COVID-19 Response. Merritt led the organization’s employer response to the COVID-19 pandemic including implementing Families First Coronavirus Response Act programs, return-to-work procedures, and quarantine protocols. She led the City’s CARES Act submission to the state of Iowa, resulting in the receipt of an additional $2.4 million.

Labor-Management Relations. Merritt successfully negotiated six union contracts that were voluntarily settled, including contracts with Police and Fire. During her tenure, she has also significantly improved relationships with the Civil Service Commission and built strong and collaborative relationships with the City’s six collective bargaining groups.

Public Safety Operations Study. Merritt staffed a police and fire operations study that was completed in 2018. Recommendations from the study included staffing realignment, new facilities, and service delivery innovations, including priority-based dispatch. Merritt continues to work on these initiatives, most recently leading the RFP process for architectural and engineering services for the relocation and construction of a new Fire Station 3, which was a primary recommendation of this study.

Legislative Strategy. Merritt is actively involved in the City’s legislative strategy initiatives and developed the City’s first legislative issue papers, which are now adopted annually by the City Council and distributed to the City’s state delegation.

The ICMA Local Government Excellence Awards Program highlights creative contributions to professional local government management while demonstrating the difference that effective and committed management makes to the quality of life in our communities. ICMA’s Professional Awards honor achievements made by outstanding chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, academics, and others accomplished through tenure in local governments or organizations. Nominations are evaluated by an independent, 17-person panel of ICMA members.