Dublin City Manager to Retire by End of 2013

Dublin City Manager Joni Pattillo has announced her plans to leave her post at the end of the calendar year, after a long and distinguished 25-year career in local government.  

Pattillo has spent the last five and a half years as Dublin’s City Manager, successfully leading the organization through one of the worst economic recessions on record; stabilizing the organization and positioning the City for future growth and prosperity. 

During her tenure as City Manager, Pattillo worked with the City Council to enhance and improve community engagement and outreach, including the development of a new website and tools to better connect citizens and businesses with the City, a new Annual Report on the City’s fiscal condition, as well as a 10-year Strategic Plan and current capital improvement projects.  The creation of Community Strategy Forums that helped to inform the City Council and staff about the financial priorities of the Dublin community were part of Pattillo’s leadership vision, as was her development of the City’s first two-year budget process to provide fiscal stabilization during a turbulent economic time.  Pattillo has also been instrumental in the development of several new park projects, including Fallon Sports Park, Heritage Parks and Museums, four neighborhood parks, and continued the development of Emerald Glen Park with the design phase of the Aquatic Center.

“It has been my pleasure to work with Joni over the last several years, and I know that we are a better community because of her service to our residents and businesses,” said Mayor Tim Sbranti.  “She guided us through some very difficult budget conversations, but I believe that our actions to appoint her in 2008 have led to the successes we have achieved today.  Joni has been a visionary leader who has put Dublin on the right path, and I think all Dublin residents should be thankful for her service to our great community.”   

Pattillo’s ingenuity and leadership led to the enhancement of the City’s Community Benefit Program, netting several million dollars in new revenues for one time projects, as well as assisting local non-profit organizations with establishing a stronger presence in Dublin, including the School of Imagination, which works with developmentally disabled children in an inclusive setting, the YMCA, and Hope Hospice.  One of her most notable recent negotiations was the creation of a Veteran’s housing project in Downtown Dublin to assist returning Veterans and their families with affordable housing and resources in the Tri-Valley.  

Pattillo was also a key player in the redevelopment of the former Arroyo Vista site, a Federal public housing project.  Pattillo spent more than seven years on a new plan and funding stream to build the region’s first mixed income community, Emerald Vista. Pattillo also led the City to its first ever designation in 2011 as an “All-America City” by the National Civic League for its efforts relating to affordable housing, preserving the City’s history and  the School of Imagination.

“I want to thank the Dublin City Council for their continued support and leadership,” said Pattillo.  “I am honored to work for a City Council that makes the tough decisions when needed, embraces creative and innovative ideas, and provides its continued support for City staff.”  

Pattillo joined the City of Dublin in 2002 as the Assistant City Manager.  In that role, she established the City’s first leadership academy for residents, now called Inside Dublin.  The program has graduated more than 150 community members, many of which have gone on to serve the community in a variety of roles, including City Commissions and the City Council.

Throughout her career, Pattillo has been active in the Tri-valley Region and municipal government profession. She has served on numerous boards and committees throughout Alameda County and has invested her time in promoting public service to the next generation of leaders, including work with the International City Management Association (ICMA) and the Municipal Management Association of Northern California.  

“During my career, I have worked with some incredible individuals that dedicate themselves to building strong and sustainable communities,” said Pattillo.  “Over the last quarter century, I have drawn strength and inspiration from these people to get the through challenging economic times, and I have a deep appreciation for all of those who continue to serve the public with integrity.  I am honored and humbled to stand with all of them.”