City Manager Announces Retirement After 22 Years at Helm

Long time formally announced that he will step down and retire in November at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

"This will come as no surprise to the City Council and staff," he said in a statement. "It may also be the worst kept secret in town."

He added that there is "probably never a perfect time to make such a decision and start planning for a management transition."

Some of the factors that have led to his decision include:

• August will mark the end of his 22^nd year as City Manager.
• September will mark the end of 40 years in California city government
• In November, he will be 62 years old.
• In November, and Councilmember Gary Capata will be termed out, so there will be at least two new members on the City Council in December.

"Most importantly, Roz and I want to spend more time together," he said of his wife.

Casey said the couple wants to "do new things together, see new things together, chart new adventures." 

Apparently, the City Council and Casey have been discussing this off and on since last May.

"It’s our shared belief that the city will be best served by a truly open and competitive recruitment  for the next City Manager. Hopefully a process that attracts the best possible candidates from within and outside the City organization."

It plans to select an executive search firm this summer, launch the formal recruitment process and have a strong group of candidates for interview by November.

"Although the recruitment process will be launched under the leadership of the current City Council, we also believe that it should be the new City Council seated after the November election who selects the next City Manager. 

"That doesn’t exactly coincide with my planned November retirement, but I’ve promised the City Council that I will remain available in some short-term employment or consulting capacity until my successor is appointed and starts work."