Ben Moody is appointed by the City of Live Oak as its new, permanent, full-time city manager on Wednesday, starting his role on June 9, according to the City of Live Oak. Photo courtesy of the City of Live Oak

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - The City of Live Oak is proud to announce the appointment of Ben Moody as its new, permanent, full-time city manager. Moody officially begins his role on June 9, bringing with him over 25 years of local government experience and a deep-rooted commitment to community service and development.

A lifelong resident of the Yuba-Sutter region, Moody is a proud graduate of area schools, including Sutter Union High School, and California State University, Chico, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He has spent his career working for and alongside local agencies, serving in key leadership roles including city engineer, city surveyor, city planner, and most recently, as director of public works and development services for the City of Yuba City.

Moody’s leadership has encompassed oversight of fourteen independent divisions with more than 120 full-time employees, with a strong focus on engineering, utilities, maintenance, and development services. His proven track record of collaborative leadership, strategic planning, and community-driven problem solving make him an excellent fit to lead the City of Live Oak through its next chapter.

Moody will serve in a dual capacity as both city manager and director of public works, generating an estimated annual savings of approximately $180,000 for the City of Live Oak. As a licensed engineer, Moody is also expected to lead in-house engineering projects, further reducing the city’s reliance on outside consultants and delivering even greater cost efficiencies.

"It is both an honor and a privilege to serve the Live Oak community,” said Moody. “I look forward to contributing my knowledge, experience, and strong work ethic in collaboration with the Live Oak City Council, as we work together to make the city an even better place to live, work, and do business.”

Moody has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to public service outside of city hall. He serves on the Brittan Elementary School Board, the Sierra Central Credit Union Supervisory Committee, and is an active member of the Sutter Lions Club and Sutter Youth Organization. He also enjoys mandarin farming, fishing, and motorcycle riding in his spare time.

Moody and his wife, Kim, have been married for 22 years and together, they are raising three children: Nick, 20, Tori, 18, and Brock, 14, here in Sutter County.

“Ben brings a wealth of experience, energy, and dedication to our community,” said Mayor Jeramy Chapdelaine. “We are excited to welcome him to the City of Live Oak and look forward to working with him as we continue building a stronger, more vibrant future for our city.”