The City of Alameda will be looking to hire a new city manager after former City Manager Eric Levitt was hired for the same role for the City of Fullerton.

The City of Fullerton made the announcement on March 15, at their City Council meeting. Levitt will begin his tenure as Fullerton City Manager on May 10, according to reports.

Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung said in a statement Levitt’s experience in local government set him apart after an “extensive recruitment process” for the position.

“His extensive knowledge of economic development and experience navigating fiscal challenges to maintain organizational stability were important factors in his selection by the City Council,” said Jung. “In addition, he has a proven track record in local government and values dialogue with our community members and our city council.”

Levitt’s departure comes as a bit of a shock to city officials. The City of Alameda website still has not mentioned his departure. When contacted by the Alameda Sun about Levitt’s departure, Alameda Public Information Officer Sarah Henry said the city, nor the mayor, has made an official comment about Levitt and no interim city manager has been named.

“The City Council will meet on April 5 and the agenda will be posted this Thursday,” wrote Henry in an email. “That meeting will include an item in closed session regarding the recruitment for a new City Manager.”

Levitt began his role as Alameda City Manager on April 12, 2019. In the three years as city manager, Levitt has been involved in many key decisions for the city. He hired former Oakland Police Department Deputy Chief Nishant Joshi as Alameda Police Department’s Chief of Police in May 2021. He also hired Nicholas Luby as Alameda Fire Department’s (AFD) Fire Chief in Sept. 2021. After growing racial tensions in the city, caused by the arrest of Mali Watkins, Levitt was instrumental in forming the community-led Police Reform and Racial Equity Steering Committee to address systemic racism in Alameda.

Levitt took over as city manager from interim City Manager David Rudat. Rudat was hired as city manager after the council placed former City Manager Jill Keimach on paid administrative leave in March 2018. Keimach was at odds with members of the council at the time because she felt pressured to hire in-house AFD official, Dominic Weaver, as the new AFD fire chief. Weaver was endorsed by two members of the city council at the time. Keimach alleged the behavior of the two councilmembers were against Alameda City Charter rules. Keimach eventually settled with the city for more than $900,000.

Before coming to Alameda, Levitt was the city manager of Simi Valley, Calif., from 2013 to 2019. He was also the city manager of Janesville, Wisc., from 2008 to 2013 and Sedona, Ariz., from 2001 to 2008.