County’s Top Executive to Step Down : Government: Richard Wittenberg will take a similar post in Santa Clara County. The announcement stuns officials.

After leading Ventura County through almost two decades of tight budgets and tumultuous growth, chief administrator Richard Wittenberg announced Wednesday that he will leave his job by the end of January to become the top executive in Santa Clara County.

“I just felt I probably have seven or eight more good years,” said Wittenberg, 54. “And I’d like to be challenged in a more complex organization.”

Before his departure, Wittenberg said, he will focus on helping the county’s two newly elected supervisors adjust to their jobs and will stay involved with the county lobbying group formed to fight the closure of Point Mugu Naval Air Station--the BRAC ’95 Task Force.

Although some county officials were aware that Wittenberg was considering a move, they were just as surprised as members of his staff by the announcement that he had actually accepted a new job.

“It was like I was hit in the stomach with an unexpected blow,” said Supervisor Maggie Kildee. “And yet, I knew it was possible.”

Supervisor Maria VanderKolk said she first learned of Wittenberg’s departure on Wednesday.

“I was shocked,” VanderKolk said. “He’s been in the county for so long. I guess I always had a mental picture of him being here always. This is such an enormous change going to a new place. I never thought he’d do it.”

Other officials expressed concern that Wittenberg will be leaving his job just as two newly elected supervisors take office in January.

“It just adds more uncertainty to the future,” said county budget manager Bert Bigler, one of Wittenberg’s deputies. “Change does that.”

But Supervisor Vicky Howard, who is stepping down at the end of the year after one term, said that Simi Valley Councilwoman Judy Mikels and Thousand Oaks Councilman Frank Schillo--the county’s two incoming supervisors--are experienced government officials who will bring stability to the board.

“There are probably going to be some rough edges for a while, but we’ll survive,” Howard said.

A top candidate for chief executive in other large counties for years, Wittenberg said he twice turned down solicitations to apply for the San Jose job, but consented in August. He will replace Sally Reed, who left the Santa Clara job last year to become chief administrative officer of Los Angeles County.

Wittenberg, who has been Ventura County’s top executive since 1978, said he will be paid about $150,000 annually for running California’s fourth-largest county, up from $123,000 here. A Democrat who often worked with a conservative board in Ventura County, Wittenberg will be working with at least four Democratic supervisors in his new job.

Santa Clara County is an urban county south of San Francisco with a population of about 1.5 million and a budget of $1.8 billion, about twice the size of Ventura County in both areas.

Although he will be receiving a large pay raise, Wittenberg said money was not a factor in his decision to leave Ventura County after 16 years as a county manager. Nor did he feel political pressure to leave, despite a persistent quarrel with county law enforcement officials over their budgets.

*

“I’ve been here a long time,” said Wittenberg, a boss known for both his firm administrative hand and his ability to get along with his five superiors. “I love this place . . . but I have the gnawing feeling that it’s the appropriate time to go.”

Still, VanderKolk said that an ongoing feud with District Atty. Michael D. Bradbury and Sheriff Larry Carpenter over the distribution of sales tax dollars generated from Proposition 172 may have influenced Wittenberg’s decision to leave.

Bradbury and Carpenter last month launched a petition drive to ensure that all revenues from the voter-approved ballot measure are spent solely on public safety services. That action was in direct response to the Board of Supervisors’ decision earlier this year to allocate more than $1 million in Proposition 172 funds to departments outside public safety, and to leave another $4 million in revenues undesignated.

“I think the whole issue of Proposition 172 and the animosity that resulted from it, and knowing that was not going to go away may have played a part in his decision,” VanderKolk said.

Indeed, not everyone shed tears Wednesday over Wittenberg’s announcement.

Barry Hammitt, head of the county employees’ union, said, “I think he’s been very effective in what he’s done, effective from the standpoint that he’s always balanced the budget. But I think in a combination of decisions he’s made, the citizens of Ventura County in the end have been shortchanged.”

Hammitt said Wittenberg and the Board of Supervisors had repeatedly made deep budget cuts to county departments over the years, while socking away millions as a hedge against feared liability. He said those cuts had demoralized county employees and department heads, and gave the impression that the county is poorly run.

But Wittenberg has long enjoyed a reputation as a top administrator, which is evidenced by the fact that other counties, including Los Angeles, have tried to hire him away on several occasions.

“Ventura County has always been way up there as one of the best run counties in the state, and Richard has had a lot to do with that,” said VanderKolk.

Santa Clara County officials said they have observed Wittenberg over the years on the Urban Counties Caucus and have been impressed with his management style. They also noted his extensive background as a Ventura County lobbyist, budget analyst and planning official even before he became chief executive officer.

“He’s bright and commands the respect of people all over California,” said Supervisor Zoe Lofgren. “He’s not a business-as-usual type of guy. He’s always willing to look at new and creative ways to get things done.”

Lofgren said she is also impressed with Wittenberg’s commitment to family issues.

“He’s very committed to programs for children, prevention programs and family oriented services,” she said.

Santa Clara Supervisor Ron Gonzales added that he was especially impressed by Wittenberg’s handling of the Ventura County budget.

“The organization he runs has a very strong financial record. He has strong financial skills. His management style is one we need. He has an open and communicative style that I think will be warmly received here.”

Wittenberg’s new contract in Santa Clara County runs for three years, he said.

Santa Clara Supervisor Mike Honda said the board has been courting Wittenberg for about 14 months and hopes his fiscal skills can help the county weather hard times.

“Like any other county in the state, we’re looking at a pretty dismal financial picture,” he said. “I think Ventura County’s been pretty responsive in trying to reshape itself and still trying to deliver services. Ventura County has a reputation as being one of the best-run counties in the country.”

Unlike Ventura County, where agriculture is the main industry, Santa Clara County is home to dozens of high-tech, Silicon Valley corporations, including Apple Computers.

*

San Jose is by far the largest of the county’s 15 cities, with a population of 800,000. The population is ethnically diverse, with about a quarter of its residents being Latino and about a fifth Asian American.

Wittenberg said that although he looks forward to the challenges ahead, he has no plans to say goodby to Ventura County.

“I’ve been chief administrative officer since the Conestoga wagons came west,” he said. “This has been my home . . . I love this county, and we’re not selling the house, because when I retire, I’m coming back.”

Times staff writers Mack Reed, Sara Catania and Daryl Kelley contributed to this story. Correspondent Maia Davis also reported.