Paul Casey Stepping Down As City Administrator

After twenty-four years of service to the City of Santa Barbara, City Administrator Paul Casey officially notified the Santa Barbara City Council earlier today of his intent to step down as City Administrator effective Friday September 10, 2021.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the City of Santa Barbara and community.  I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished during this time working on a number of high priority issues while facing unprecedented challenges” said Mr. Casey. 

Some of those accomplishments include:
 

Passage and implementation of Measure C to address critical infrastructure deficiencies like street and road repairs, design of a new Police Station, and rehabilitation of key City facilities like the Cabrillo Pavilion;

·         Managing the City’s water resources effectively through a historic drought, including restarting the City’s desalination plant;
 
·         The City’s rapid response to massive fires and a devastating debris flow; and
 

The City’s response to the global Covid-19 pandemic including: maintaining critical services throughout; addressing unprecedented fiscal ramifications; and assisting the local economy, and community psyche, by creating the State Street Promenade which has been a resounding success.
 

In his letter to the City Council, Mr. Casey stated: “You have amazing City staff that it has be an honor to work beside.  They will continue to do the City and community proud by their dedication and professionalism going forward.  I wish you and the City all the best!” 
 

Mayor Cathy Murillo stated, “I thank Paul Casey for his years of dedicated service to the City of Santa Barbara.  In addition to his excellent daily management of our full-service City, Paul consistently rose to the challenges we faced, from natural disasters to the pandemic, working round-the-clock to ensure everyone’s health, safety, and recovery. I congratulate him on the contribution he’s made to the City and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

 
The Santa Barbara City Council will identify the process to choose the next City Administrator over the coming weeks, and will appoint an Interim City Administrator by September 10th.