Coeur d’Alene Deputy City Administrator Sam Taylor is literally on the Treager Top 100 list.

Published by Engaging Local Government Leaders, or ELGL, the list is named after the fictional character Chris Treager from the NBC comedy series “Parks and Recreation.” Treager, the city manager of the fictional Indiana city of Pawnee, is overly energetic, positive and has a penchant for overusing the term “literally.” He was always ready to solve his city’s problems with gusto, in the series that ran from 2009 to 2015.

ELGL is a nationwide membership organization for local government employees. Its Traeger list recognizes the top 100 people who are major influencers in their local governments.

“Our perfect Traeger list award winner is someone who has a jam-packed daily schedule, but makes time for an informational interview or to present a webinar to a nationwide audience. Our list is full of individuals who quiver at the phrase ‘I’m too busy,’” ELGL said in announcing its list.

It’s based on the influence a person has in and around his community through professional associations, publications and presentations.

Taylor, No. 96 on the Traeger List, said he is a more recent fan of Parks and Rec. When asked if he sees any parallels between himself and Treager, he said, “He is very positive. Working as a public servant is pretty awesome, and I try to start everything with positivity.”

A graduate of Coeur d’Alene High School and the University of Idaho, Taylor returned last year to his hometown after working for the city of Morro Bay, Calif., as its deputy city administrator. He has also worked in the public sector in Ferndale, Wash., as the city clerk, community information officer and assistant city administrator. Prior to his work in local government, Taylor was a journalist for nearly a decade in Idaho and Washington.

“I love getting to work on behalf of my fellow citizens and my hometown. The things I am working on are on behalf of people who I have grown up with, and also those that will come after me,” Taylor said.

His duties here in Coeur d’Alene's city offices as deputy city administrator include managing and maintaining communication with the city and the public, along with managing special projects with the Arts Commission and city parking, and coordinating efforts between city departments, committees, commissions and agencies.

“Since his arrival, Sam has worked to broaden our communication with citizens, through the use of our website, social media, and responding to the major blogs. His efforts have focused on attaining greater engagement with our community and greater transparency regarding projects and policy decisions of city government. Sam’s background in journalism gives the city greater opportunities to be responsive and open to our citizens,” said Jim Hammond, Coeur d’Alene city administrator.

Taylor has become a familiar face and voice for the city answering questions and addressing issues on social media. He has also started working to post more videos online to help citizens understand how their local government is working for them.

“We are human beings, just like them, and it’s important to let people know what is going on with the city as it’s all on their behalf,” Taylor said.

View the 2017 Treager List of Influencers at elgl.org.