City Finance Director Headed for Pasadena

By Jorge Casuso

August 11 -- The exit of top City officials continued this week with the announcement that Finance Director Steve Stark is headed to Pasadena.

Stark is the fifth department head to resign in little over a year, joining former City Manager Susan McCarthy, Planning Director Suzanne Frick, Resource Manager Jeff Mathieu and Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr.

Stark, who came to Santa Monica in 2003, will take over Pasadena’s top financial post on September 11 and will manage 144 employees.

“Pasadena has a long history of not only being a great place to live but also a great place to work,” Stark said in a statement issued by Pasadena officials. “I’m looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

“I’m honored to join a top-notch organization that includes an outstanding finance department and a strong executive management team,” said Stark, who was director of administrative services and city treasurer of the city of Santa Clarita from 1992 to 2003.

Pasadena officials praised Stark’s accomplishments.

“Stephen Stark has a background that combines knowledge of local government financial operations with a successful track record in long-range financial planning,” Pasadena City Manager Cynthia J. Kurtz said in a statement issued August 8.

“With today’s complex municipal financing procedures and regulations, his successes in developing audit programs, issuing bond debt financing and emphasizing customer service are important assets,” Kurtz said.

Santa Monica has a population of 88,000 and an annual budget of $411 million, while Pasadena’s population is 144,000 and its annual budget $508 million, according to Pasadena officials.