Mark Winstanley

After more nearly four decades of budgets from former City Manager Mark Winstanley, a new team took over the city’s budget process for 2023-24.

With the hiring of City Manager Spencer Kyle and Finance Director Zachary Fleck, the process could see significant changes in years to come, in terms of budgeting, technology and accounting tools.

“Change is the theme of this book,” Fleck said of the proposed 2023-24 budget. “You’ll see it in the budget message. You’ll see it throughout.”

In paying tribute to Winstanley, Fleck said the city would be remiss without acknowledging the former city manager’s performance record and the good financial standing he left the city in.

“But we probably aren’t going to approach things the same way,” Fleck said.

Updating the comprehensive plan — the vision that guides the city — is a high priority for everyone, he said at the April 19 budget committee meeting.

The city has already updated its way of sharing City Council correspondence, meeting minutes, remote technology and digital access.

Fleck said staff will constantly try to keep an eye out for ways that systems and processes can be improved to increase quality, efficiency, cost and ease of use.

Fleck is only one of numerous personnel changes in the past year, including Kyle; Seaside Civic and Convention Center General Manager Brian Owen; Public Works Director Mike Dimmick; Community Development Director Jeff Flory; City Judge Stacy Rodriguez; Building Official Jerry Wade and the new city attorneys, Beery Elsner & Hammond. A new library director, Jennifer Reading, starts next month.

“While it is true that a significant amount of institutional knowledge has gone with those employees who left, those who have stepped into their places have brought diverse new experiences, perspectives, energy, and philosophies with which they can make Seaside a better place for residents and visitors alike,” Fleck said.

Kyle said the city is trying to replace 40 years of institutional knowledge.

“That is not going to happen in the first year,” Kyle said. “It’s going to take us some time to get there. But we are excited to kick this off.”