Sanitation District Manager Announces His Resignation

Clint Whitney, general manager of the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, announced his resignation Wednesday, four years after taking over the top spot for the agency that oversees Ventura County’s two landfills.

“I hadn’t planned on resigning but I was presented an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” Whitney said in an interview after submitting his letter of resignation to his board of directors late Wednesday afternoon.

He was offered a job working as a consultant to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, specializing in green-waste recycling and composting programs statewide.

That job will last six to nine months, and afterward Whitney plans to set up a private consulting business for cities across the state trying to start composting programs.

His resignation is not effective until Oct. 1. But with a fight brewing over the possible expansion of the Toland Landfill and concerns over the impending closure of Bailard Landfill, Whitney’s departure comes at a critical period for the sanitation district.

“It is a critical moment, but frankly it would have been critical if I had resigned last year or if I wait until next year,” he said.

Despite some strong opposition to the Toland expansion from the likes of Ventura County Supervisor Maggie Kildee and Fillmore City Councilman Roger Campbell, Whitney is confident that even without his strong lobbying the expansion plan will be approved.

“Toland will be approved, because the expansion is good public policy,” he said.

News of his resignation came as a surprise to board members, but board Chairman Andres Herrera said he could not blame Whitney for taking the opportunity.

“He’s done a hell of a job,” Herrera said. “He’s been able to upright the situation to bring the proper focus of attention to solid waste management in the county. He’s been very vocal.”

Herrera said the personnel committee would soon start the search for a new director.

In his resignation letter, Whitney outlined the accomplishments of his four years of service, including extending the lease for Bailard Landfill, lowering fees charged for dumping refuse at the landfill, reducing the budget by 43% and facilitating the expansion of Toland Road Landfill.

“There have been a lot of changes in how the district is perceived,” Herrera said. “He’s had a lot to do with the uprighting of what people have called a ‘sinking vessel.’ ”