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Grace Leung, the Newport Beach City Manager, has announced her retirement effective December 26 after serving for seven years. Her retirement follows significant achievements and challenges faced during her tenure, including the management of city projects amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As the city prepares for a leadership transition, Assistant City Manager Seimone Jurjis is considered a potential successor. Amidst her retirement, legal issues have also surfaced, although they are stated to be unrelated to her decision to step down.
Newport Beach City Manager Grace Leung has announced her retirement, effective December 26, 2025. Mayor Joe Stapleton disclosed her retirement during a Newport Beach City Council meeting on July 8, where the council unanimously voted to amend Leung’s five-year contract to reflect her decision. Leung’s retirement comes after serving as city manager for seven years, during which she faced various challenges and implemented significant projects.
Leung has pledged to continue fulfilling her duties until her retirement date to facilitate a smooth transition in leadership. Notably, she was fulfilling civic duties as a juror during the meeting where her retirement was announced.
Before joining Newport Beach in September 2018 with a starting salary of $265,000, Leung amassed a wealth of experience in public service, spending over 30 years working for the municipalities of Irvine and Sunnyvale. During her tenure in Newport Beach, her annual salary increased to $345,000. The decision to retire stemmed from discussions regarding her performance evaluations that began in February and April, leading to a formal contract extension in 2022 through December 2026 due to her effective leadership.
Leung’s leadership was pivotal in guiding Newport Beach through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her management, the city successfully balanced its budgets, benefiting from improved tax revenues after the pandemic. Her strategic approach led to the initiation of numerous capital improvement projects, which have been vital for the city’s development.
Despite her proven track record, Leung’s retirement comes amid an ongoing legal situation. A lawsuit has been filed against the city by Human Resources Director Barbara Salvini, alleging that Leung attempted to conceal an audit related to the manipulation of employee leave time. The city has labeled this lawsuit as “without merit” and emphasized that Leung’s retirement decision is not connected to these legal issues.
There have been concerns regarding the financial implications associated with Leung’s amended contract. The council has voted to allocate $455,000 to cover her salary and benefits for the upcoming fiscal year, ensuring that this expenditure does not overlap with the potential new city manager’s contract.
A possible successor for Leung is Assistant City Manager Seimone Jurjis, whose appointment is anticipated to be voted on during the council’s meeting on July 22. If appointed, Jurjis is set to officially take office on December 27, 2025, the day following Leung’s retirement.
As Newport Beach looks toward a new era of leadership, council members have expressed optimism regarding the succession plan. Councilmember Robyn Grant has characterized the city’s transition plan as “wonderful,” indicating enthusiasm for the changes that lie ahead. With Leung’s nearly seven years of service now coming to a close, the city prepares for both the upcoming leadership transition and the continued execution of ongoing projects.
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