Carlsbad CA— The Carlsbad City Council and City Manager Steven R. Sarkozy today announced they have decided to end their employment contract after one year.
Speaking for the City Council, Mayor Matt Hall said, “Steve is one of the top city managers in the nation, with vast experience and a stellar track record. Sometimes you can have all the right pieces, and just not the right fit. We are grateful for Steve’s efforts and wish him the best.”
“To reach peak performance, the City Council, city manager and staff need to be in complete alignment, and we just weren’t able to get there,” said Sarkozy. “Carlsbad is a great city with even greater potential. The community deserves a team that will fully realize that potential.”
The Carlsbad City Council appointed Sarkozy city manager on March 11, 2014, following a national search. Just prior to Carlsbad, Sarkozy served as city manager for Bellevue, Wash., a Seattle suburb of 128,000 and a major Microsoft employment hub. Like Carlsbad, Bellevue boasts a AAA credit rating and resident satisfaction numbers at the 90 percent mark and higher. During his 13 year tenure as city manager, Sarkozy was recognized by the Harvard University sponsored “Innovations in Local Government Award,” as well as awards for neighborhood investment, e-government and intergovernmental cooperation. Sarkozy also led the development of the city’s environmental stewardship Initiative, a community wide program focusing on energy conservation, transit oriented development and electric vehicles.
Prior to Bellevue, Sarkozy was the city manager of Roseville, Minn., from 1989 to 2000. Before that, he was city manager of Geneva, N.Y., from 1984 to 1989.
Sarkozy’s last day was April 24. Assistant City Manager Kathy Dodson has been named interim city manager until a successor is named.
“The City Council has full confidence in the city’s leadership team and professional staff to manage through this time of transition,” said Hall.