Fiscal Steward Extraordinaire: Retiring Manhattan Beach Finance Director Leaves a Lasting Legacy

After a remarkable 35-year career with the City of Manhattan Beach, Finance Director Steve Charelian is set to retire on July 5th. Charelian's tenure has been marked by his unwavering dedication, strategic financial acumen, and his ability to navigate the city through some of its most significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. As he departs, Charelian leaves behind a legacy of fiscal responsibility, innovative solutions, and a steadfast commitment to the community he has served for over three decades.

Guiding Manhattan Beach's Financial Fortunes with Expertise and Integrity

Steady Leadership During Turbulent Times

Charelian's appointment as Finance Director in 2018 came at a critical juncture for the City of Manhattan Beach. He was tasked with filling the big shoes of his predecessor, Bruce Moe, who had been widely praised for his stewardship of the city's finances and for helping it earn the coveted AAA bond rating. Charelian, however, proved more than up to the challenge, providing a steady and experienced hand during one of the biggest financial crises the city had ever faced – the COVID-19 pandemic.Throughout the pandemic, Charelian's leadership and expertise were instrumental in helping the city navigate the economic turmoil. He implemented critical course corrections, such as seizing on historically low interest rates to issue million in pension obligation bonds, which are estimated to save the city .8 million over the next 25 years in retirement costs. Charelian also played a key role in addressing funding gaps, including an increase to the city's transient occupancy tax that generated an additional .25 million in annual revenue, which helped pay for 10 additional police officers. Additionally, he was instrumental in the passage of a ballot measure last fall that provided .1 million in annual revenue, replacing a subsidy of the city's Storm Water Drain enterprise fund that had already bled the General Fund of million and threatened to take another .6 million over the next five years.

Forging Collaborative Partnerships and Innovative Solutions

Charelian's tenure was marked by his ability to forge collaborative partnerships and develop innovative solutions to the city's financial challenges. His close working relationship with City Manager Bruce Moe was particularly noteworthy, with Moe praising Charelian's willingness to take on additional responsibilities and his "tremendous asset" to the city.Charelian's collaborative approach extended beyond the city's leadership, as he worked closely with neighboring municipalities, state and federal officials, and even the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the State Treasurer's office. This broad network of partnerships and recognition from various stakeholders is a testament to Charelian's reputation as a trusted and respected financial steward.

Mentoring the Next Generation of Public Servants

Throughout his career, Charelian has been a mentor and role model to the next generation of public servants. He learned early on from the city's former Controller, Henry Mitzner, the importance of dedication, hard work, and a commitment to public service. Charelian, in turn, has passed on these values to his colleagues, inspiring them with his own work ethic and unwavering dedication to the city.Councilmember Steve Napolitano, who has worked closely with Charelian over the years, praised the finance director's ability to push his colleagues to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. Napolitano noted that Charelian's guidance and expertise have been instrumental in helping the city establish a strong financial foundation, particularly with the recent vote on storm drains.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy

As Charelian prepares to retire, the city's leaders have come together to recognize his remarkable contributions and the lasting impact he has had on the community. Mayor Pro Tem Amy Howorth praised Charelian's "excellent work with [his] whole heart," noting that his efforts have touched not only the residents of Manhattan Beach but also leaders at the county and state levels.Councilmember Richard Montgomery echoed these sentiments, highlighting the essential but often unheralded work that Charelian has done behind the scenes, such as successfully "clawing" for federal reimbursement of pandemic-related funds. Montgomery emphasized that Charelian's work, alongside that of other finance leaders like Moe and Mitzner, has been instrumental in shaping the city's financial framework and positioning it for future success.As a testament to Charelian's legacy, the city has honored him with the creation of "Charelian Way," a street sign that will be added to Google Maps, ensuring that his name and contributions will be forever etched into the fabric of Manhattan Beach.In his final remarks, Charelian expressed his profound gratitude for the privilege of serving the city for the past 35 years, noting that the "lessons learned and relationships forged will forever hold a special place" in his heart. While he may be retiring, Charelian has vowed to remain steadfast in his dedication to the community, ensuring that his impact will continue to be felt long after his departure.