The City of Santa Barbara has made five key personnel decisions in the past week, a sign that City Administrator Kelly McAdoo is settling in as its top leader.
"I am excited to welcome our new members of the city's leadership team," McAdoo said. "I feel fortunate that I have been able to both promote internally grown talent that competed in nationwide recruitments and also hire external leaders who will bring new ideas and energy to our city."
McAdoo has hired four men to fill top positions. Brandon Beaudette is the city's new library director. He served in the interim role for more than a year.
Brian D'Amour will serve as the new Public Works director, another internal candidate who served in the role for several months.
In an outside hire, McAdoo selected Anthony Valdez as deputy city administrator. Michael Arnoldus will be the new human resources director, a pick by McAdoo.
"This mix of leaders will help our city continue to move forward while ensuring we preserve institutional knowledge and strengthen existing relationships," she told Noozhawk.
The hires come after some controversy with a couple of the positions.
The city earlier this year agreed to pay out nearly $800,000 to two employees in separate silent settlements.
Noozhawk obtained the settlement agreements involving former Library Director Jessica Cadiente and former Public Works Director Cliff Maurer.
Cadiente was paid $500,000 in her departure from the city, an amount that includes attorney fees. She also was on a paid leave of absence for nearly a year. According to public records, she earned about $241,000 annually, with pay and benefits.
Maurer received his complete annual salary, about $281,000, for the upcoming year.
The city never elaborated on the specifics of why it paid two at-will employees so much money to leave the city.
"Public Works touches every part of our daily lives -- from the roads we drive to the buildings we use. As a resident of this world-class city, I'm proud to lead a team that's dedicated to making Santa Barbara a safe, sustainable and vibrant place to live," D'Amour said in a news release.
Beaudette previously worked in public works, finance and the city administrator's office.
"It's an honor to serve as library director in the city I've called home for decades. I'm excited to continue working with our talented staff and community partners to ensure our libraries remain welcoming, inclusive spaces for learning, creativity and connection," Beaudette said.
The previous human resources director, Wendy Levy, left the city to work closer to her home in Camarillo.
McAdoo also has created a new division, the Department of Water Resources, which will consolidate all water-related services under one umbrella, including water supply, water system, wastewater system and desalination operations.
Haggmark will lead that division.
"Our water resources are essential to Santa Barbara's future, and I'm honored to be selected to lead this new department focused on protecting and sustaining this precious resource for generations to come," Haggmark said. "This new department reflects the city's strong commitment to water resilience, and I'm honored to lead such a dedicated and professional team of public servants."
McAdoo said she is optimistic about what's ahead.
"Based on my interactions with them to date, this new team will help me achieve my vision for a city organization that is customer focused (both internally and externally), focused on getting to yes, transparent and innovative," she said.
McAdoo said her goals include stabilizing the city's finances, finalizing the State Street Master Plan, Paseo Nuevo, implementing an internal classification and compensation study, adopting the first citywide strategic plan, and implementing key improvements in the land use and permitting processes.