New City Manager Announced In Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A new City Manager will be taking the helm of Laguna Beach's local government, after the city announced Dave Kiff as the next City Manager for Laguna Beach.

"Dave Kiff's appointment as the new City Manager represents an exciting moment for Laguna Beach," said Mayor Sue Kempf. “He is an experienced leader with an impressive track record of initiatives that he championed or co-championed on the City, County and State level. As a City Council, we are confident Dave will not only address immediate opportunities for enhancing services, but we believe he is a good fit for Laguna overall.”

Dave Kiff, a former 23-year resident of Laguna Beach, brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for the community to the table.

"Returning to Laguna Beach to serve as City Manager is a tremendous honor for me," Kiff told Patch. "I am deeply committed to serving the people and community of Laguna Beach. My goal is to work collaboratively with residents, businesses, and community organizations to ensure that Laguna Beach remains a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and visit."

"My role as City Manager will be focused on fostering collaboration and innovation to address the needs of our residents and continued enhancement of the overall quality of life in our community,” Kiff continued. “I look forward to working closely with the City Council, City staff, and community stakeholders to ensure Laguna Beach continues to thrive and evolve responsibly."

Dave Kiff brings substantial local government experience and expertise to the City of Laguna Beach. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Division Director for the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, overseeing homelessness programs totaling $30 million annually.

Additionally, Kiff has served as Interim City Manager for several California cities, including Sonoma, Healdsburg, and Huntington Beach. He also brings extensive experience as the former City Manager of Newport Beach, where he successfully managed a $300 million budget, staff of over 700, and a diverse range of city services for nearly a decade.

Dave Kiff’s employment agreement was unanimously approved by the Laguna Beach City Council at its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. His anticipated start date is May 6, 2024. He is looking forward to living in Laguna Beach again with his partner Tom and their two dogs Oscar and Moby.