Newport Beach City Manager Announces Retirement Plans

News Summary

City Manager Grace K. Leung plans to retire in December 2025, concluding her distinguished 30-year career in local government. Since 2018, she has led Newport Beach through significant fiscal stability, addressing key issues such as homelessness and infrastructure needs. Mayor Joe Stapleton praised her impactful leadership and commitment to community service, leaving a solid foundation for future growth as the city prepares for a transition in management.

Newport Beach City Manager Grace K. Leung Announces Retirement Plans for December 2025

Newport Beach, California — City Manager Grace K. Leung has formally announced her plans to retire in late December 2025, marking the end of a distinguished 30-year career in local government. Leung has been at the helm of Newport Beach since September 2018, where she has been instrumental in guiding the city through a period characterized by fiscal stability and strategic investments in infrastructure.

Throughout her tenure, Leung has prioritized maintaining balanced budgets and ensuring high-quality services for Newport Beach residents. She focused on addressing future debt obligations and allocating resources towards long-term infrastructure needs, fostering a sustainable financial environment for the city.

Key Achievements

Leung’s leadership has yielded several significant accomplishments that have positively impacted the community. Key highlights include:

• COVID-19 Response: Leung effectively managed the city’s operations during the ongoing pandemic, implementing necessary public health measures.
• Housing Initiatives: She successfully addressed state housing mandates, ensuring Newport Beach meets its obligations while maintaining community standards.
• Homelessness Reduction: Under her guidance, the city focused on initiatives that led to a notable decrease in homelessness, addressing a critical community issue.
• Police Department Modernization: Leung oversaw advancements in technology and operations within the Newport Beach Police Department, enhancing public safety efforts.
• Infrastructure Projects: Major projects during her tenure include the completion of the Sunset Bridge and the implementation of the Newport Bay Trash Interceptor to improve environmental conditions.
• Junior Lifeguard Headquarters: She established a new headquarters for the Junior Lifeguard program, promoting youth engagement and safety in aquatic environments.

Professional Background

Before assuming her role in Newport Beach, Grace K. Leung spent over two decades in municipal administration, with leadership positions in cities such as Sunnyvale and Irvine. Notably, her expertise in finance and budgeting has been instrumental in her approach to city management.

Mayor Joe Stapleton expressed his gratitude for Leung’s service, noting that she will be greatly missed and that she leaves Newport Beach in an excellent position for future growth. The city is expected to continue building on the foundation of stability and innovation that Leung has established over her tenure.

Future Plans

As Leung prepares to conclude her career in local government in December 2025, she leaves behind a legacy of strong leadership and impactful change. Her retirement is anticipated to spark a transition period in city management, as Newport Beach seeks a successor capable of upholding her commitments to fiscal responsibility, community service, and infrastructure development.

The announcement of her retirement comes at a time when Newport Beach is positioned to tackle future challenges and opportunities, thanks in part to Leung’s forward-thinking strategies and dedication to public service.

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Additional Resources

• Newport Beach Indy
• Los Angeles Times
• Newport Beach Indy
• Orange County Register
• Los Angeles Times
• Wikipedia: Newport Beach, California
• Google Search: Newport Beach City Manager
• Google Scholar: Newport Beach government
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Newport Beach
• Google News: Newport Beach