At least two administrators from the Santa Barbara County area will vacate their positions this month.
Santa Maria City Manager Jason Stilwell will step down on Sept. 22 after eight years at the helm. He announced his retirement on Aug. 9.
Three weeks ago, Santa Barbara City Administrator Rebecca Bjork announced her retirement. She has been with the city for 35 years and has served in her current position since 2021. Previously, she was employed as Santa Barbara’s public works director.
At the end of this year, another Santa Barbara County city — Carpinteria — will bid its top administrator adieu. Dave Durflinger is retiring after 24 years of service.
These departures are part of a larger trend of city manager retirements across California. The increase stems from a combination of factors, including shifting demographics and the complex demands of the job.
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