Oxnard names new cultural and community services director

The Oxnard city manager has named a new cultural and community services director, a hire that completes the executive team of an organization undergoing drastic cuts.

On Monday, Terrel Harrison was tapped to lead the cultural and community services department, a position he has been serving on an interim basis since September. The director post was open after Ingrid Hardy left for Thousand Oaks to become assistant city manager almost a year ago.

Harrison will head a department that oversees the library, recreation, performing arts center and Carnegie Art Museum. It’s a department that’s facing $2.4 million in cuts as the city tries to narrow a $9.2 million budget gap.

The proposed budget for the upcoming year calls for the closures of the Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center, art museum and the La Colonia Branch Library. Other budget cuts in the cultural and community services department include shortening the hours of the youth boxing program, contracting out the operations of the tennis center and closing the Main Library on Sundays.

Part of the reason why City Hall has struggled and has been unable to move on from past mismanagement is the high turnover rate, said City Manager Alex Nguyen. Since Nguyen became city manager in July, he has had to fill six management vacancies. The announcement of Harrison to a permanent department head position completes the city’s executive team.

MORE:Outcry intensifies over proposed closure of museum, performing arts center

Harrison rose through the ranks in his 32-year career with the city, starting as recreation leader and most recently serving as community services manager. As manager, Harrison developed a park clean-up program, added programing for the Police Activities League in south Oxnard and worked with the California State Parks Department for youth leadership training.

The Oxnard native graduated from CSU Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Nguyen called Harrison “one of the most dedicated public servants in the city of Oxnard.”

“He has a track record of finding innovative ways to meet the needs of the community and to bring new opportunities to Oxnard families,” according to Nguyen in a statement. “Terrel is also the best manager to lead the department through next year’s difficult budget.”

A request for information on Harrison's salary was not immediately returne

MORE:Proposed budget cuts would affect all of Oxnard

Wendy Leung is a staff writer for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at wendy.leung@vcstar.com or 805-437-0339. You can also find her on Twitter @Leung__Wendy.