By Jorge Casuso

December 10, 2024 -- City Manager David White -- who helped steer Santa Monica through some of its most turbulent years -- announced his resignation Tuesday.

The announcement was made in a press release issued hours before four new City Council members are sworn in Tuesday night ("Four Council Winners Join Exclusive Club," December 4, 2024).

White will leave his position in February to assume the deputy manager post in Berkeley he held before coming to Santa Monica. There was no reason given for his unexpected resignation.

“This is a bittersweet departure, and I am tremendously grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Santa Monica,” White said in a statement.

“I’ll be working closely with the City Council and city leadership to ensure a smooth transition and am confident in the city’s bright future.”

Former Councilmember Sue Himmelrich, who was mayor when White was hired, praised his financial acumen and commitment to small businesses.

"David White came to us when we were in a very vulnerable state," Himmelrich said. "He was critical to the recovery of the City from the pandemic. He was everywhere all the time.

"He loved the city and cared about its future and well being, and it will be hard to find someone so committed," Himmelrich said. "It's a very sad day for the city, and it's a terrible loss."

Councilmember Oscar de la Torre also called White's departure "a big loss to the city."

"Overall, I think David White was a very fair City manager," de la Torre said. "He came in when there was total chaos and did a lot of rebuilding. He did a very good job."

White took over a City reeling from the economic impacts of the cornonavirus shutdown and sex abuse cases that led to some $300 million in settlements ("Council Votes to Settle Remaining Sexual Abuse Cases," April 25, 2023).

During his tenure, White "advanced bold initiatives to strengthen the approach to public safety and broadened the work to address homelessness," City officials said.

He also oversaw new infrastructure projects, adopted a growing list of new voter-approved tax measures and implemented zoning code amendments to support the city's economic recovery, officials said.

In addition, he began the lengthy process to convert Santa Monica Airport's 227-acre site into a "great park" after the airport shuts down at the end of 2028.

White's departure comes as the City faces another round of lawsuits filed by additional plaintiffs who allege a former City employee sexually abused them when they were children and teens two to three decades ago.

It also comes as officials prepare to negotiate contracts with the City's major unions during a time of budget constraints and lingering service cutbacks.

White has held the City's top executive position since October 2021, becoming the fourth City manager to hold the post since the coronavirus shutdown in March 2020.

As the City's chief executive, he oversees an annual budget of $705.5 million and a workforce of 1,923, according to the City's website.

He is responsible for the operation of 12 City departments and for implementing City Council policies and priorities.

In his 2024 State of the City address, White said Santa Monica had weathered the storm and is "turning the corner," but he cautioned that there is still work to be done before the city prospers and thrives again.

"Major investment is happening in Santa Monica, both in residential and commercial projects, which is a sign of confidence in our city," White said.

"However, it will take some time for these investments to impact city revenues and, thus, allow us to continue to restore services.

"As a result, we continue to work within a very constrained environment, and we simply are not at the point where we can do all that we want to -- as quickly as we want to," he said.

In the February 29 speech White outlined the measures the City was taking to address the Council's top priorities, which include tackling homelessness and keeping Santa Monica safe and clean.

"We ARE turning a corner," White said. "I am extremely optimistic about the future of our city.

We have shown that we can weather the most difficult storms, and still remain true to our city’s values and ethos," he concluded.

White assumed the City's top executive post with a deeply divided Council. It took a record eight lengthy closed door sessions searching for a new city manager before he was hired.

White became Santa Monica's first permanent city manager after Rick Cole resigned in April 2020 after coming under increasing pressure for his handling of the coronavirus emergency.

Cole was replaced on an interim basis by then City Attorney Lane Dilg, who left the post in April. She was replaced on an interim basis by John Jalili, who had served as city manager from 1984 until his retirement in 1999.