In an interview with Govt Business Review, Natalie Zeigler, City Administrator of the City of Goose Creek, discusses the challenges and emerging trends shaping municipal governance today and shares her insights on leading a fast-growing community with intention, innovation, and collaboration.
A seasoned local government professional, Zeigler’s career has spanned small towns and full-service cities, giving her a deep understanding of how municipal systems function at every scale. Her leadership is grounded in community building, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to improving daily life for residents. From modernizing city operations to guiding sustainable development, she brings a steady, pragmatic approach that prioritizes teamwork, long-term vision, and the belief that meaningful progress comes from empowering both staff and community.
My Journey into Local Government
My spark for public service was lit early. In fifth grade, watching Ann Richards campaign for Governor of Texas felt like watching possibility take shape. It inspired a level of enthusiasm that led to a homemade scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings, an early sign that government had captured my curiosity before I understood policy or party lines.
Academic life reinforced that interest. Political Science studies initially pointed me toward law school, but a formative internship at the U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed something important. While public service was fulfilling, prosecution was not the right avenue for me. Graduate school brought a turning point. A single course in local government opened the door to a profession where decisions directly shape everyday life. That realization made the direction clear.
My first leadership role came in a small town of roughly 2,800 residents. Small-town management requires wearing every hat, from City Clerk and HR Director to Planning Director and Administrator. Those early years built a deep understanding of how every function connects and how vital professional management is to small communities. A decade-long role in a full-service city of 8,000 residents followed, expanding that experience with broader teams, more complex infrastructure, and deeper community engagement.
For the past five years, my focus has been on Goose Creek, a fast-growing community of 50,000 residents. Here, my responsibilities include overseeing daily operations and turning the strategic goals of the Mayor and City Council into reality. Every day brings new challenges, new opportunities, and new ways to strengthen the momentum the community has built.
Managing Growth While Preserving Community Character
Goose Creek is unique in its history. Incorporated in 1961, the City grew from suburban expansion rather than around a traditional town center. Although its neighborhoods offered strong amenities, the absence of a shared gathering place made it difficult for residents to feel connected to one another.
That has changed significantly. A new community park now serves as a central hub, bringing families from all neighborhoods into one shared space. In 2024, an amphitheater project added another venue for events, performances, and celebrations, giving the community additional places to gather.
Leadership in local government is never about the spotlight. It is about steady guidance, shared credit, and creating space for the entire team to succeed.
From a planning and development standpoint, the City reached a major milestone with the drafting and adoption of a completely new zoning ordinance, the first comprehensive update since 1985. The revised code encourages more mixed-use development and supports the long-term vision of reducing traffic congestion and creating connected, livable spaces. As our Mayor often notes, this approach helps residents meet their needs closer to home.
Another priority has been strengthening collaboration with the development community. Instead of defaulting to traditional, uniform project designs, we have worked closely with developers to ensure new projects align with the City’s broader vision. While this shift required an adjustment for some, it is positioning Goose Creek for sustainable success as growth continues. We have also incorporated public art into developments and public spaces, fostering community pride and reinforcing a shared sense of place.
Strengthening the Economy through Purposeful Development
The region is growing quickly, and Goose Creek would expand even without focused economic initiatives. However, sustainable prosperity requires more than growth. It requires quality growth. Our efforts have centered on diversifying the local economy and filling market gaps so businesses complement rather than duplicate each other.
One significant milestone was attracting the City’s first full-service Marriott property, secured through a strategic incentive agreement and a long-standing development partnership. This project opens new possibilities for tourism, business travel, and economic activity.
Prioritizing commercial expansion has also been essential. Residential growth alone cannot sustain long-term financial stability. Recent collaborations include reimagining a mixed-use project to include green space and public restrooms. These amenities are now programmed and maintained by the City, turning a private development into a shared public asset.
These efforts have produced measurable results. Year-over-year increases in business license and hospitality tax revenues have allowed the City to reinvest in the community, particularly in public safety staffing and competitive wages.
Modernizing City Services through Technology and Data
When this chapter of my leadership began, many processes, including payroll, were still paper based. Modernizing internal systems became an immediate priority. Automating payroll and adopting agenda-management software created instant efficiencies. From there, the transformation accelerated.
Records management systems streamlined document handling. OpenGov shifted permitting online, improving convenience for residents and builders. Digital engagement tools expanded how residents interact with City Hall.
Annual technology reviews with the City Council have ensured consistent investment and support. New budgeting software launched in 2025, with a strategic planning module set for rollout in 2026, further integrating data into decision-making. AI tools are currently being researched as a way to enhance service delivery and strengthen operational insight.
Each upgrade has done more than improve workflow. It has also expanded accessibility, transparency, and community trust.
Advice for Future City Leaders
The most important principle is humility. Leadership in local government is never about personal recognition. Success belongs to the Mayor, the Council, the staff, and the community. The role of an administrator is to listen, support, and give others the tools to excel.
Leadership that emphasizes collaboration, grounded decision-making, and steady progress creates the conditions for meaningful change. When every employee feels ownership of the City’s accomplishments, the entire community benefits.
