New London — The head of the city’s Office of Development and Planning is leaving to take a job in Groton, and the mayor’s office administrator will take over her duties.

Kristin Havrilla Clarke, who has worked for the city for just over a year, will leave her post April 1 to accept an economic development position for the Town of Groton.

Tammy Daugherty, who was appointed administrator for the mayor’s office in December 2011 when Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio was elected, will assume the ODP director’s duties while maintaining her position as office administrator.

The decision to combine the two positions is to streamline the administration and save about $75,000 in salary and benefits, Finizio announced Tuesday.

Daugherty, who earns $52,000 with benefits as office administrator, will now earn $72,000 with benefits. Clarke’s salary was $90,000 with benefits.

“I want to thank Director Clarke for her service to New London and wish her, and her family, all the best in the future,” Finizio said in a press release.

In the statement, Clarke thanked the mayor for the opportunity serve the city.

“At this time in my career, I had to do what was in the best interests of my family and my long term career goals,’’ she said.

Clarke will replace Barbara Strother, who retired in December as Groton’s economic development specialist. Strother’s annual salary was $72,356.

Since she began working for the city, Daugherty has served as the mayor’s office liaison to the Renaissance City Development Association, City Center District, New London Main Street, the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, OpSail, New London Port Authority and the Economic Development Commission.

She also has served as the mayor’s project manager for proposals for a regional dispatch center and for regionalizing animal control and radio services.

“Having worked closely with Ms. Daugherty I can say she enjoys my full confidence to take on this new role,’’ Finizio said. “New London is lucky to have such a dedicated public servant willing to take on these added responsibilities as we consolidate positions to save money and continue our development efforts.”

k.edgecomb@theday.com