Glendale Treasurer Betty Evans to Retire

City Treasurer Elizabeth W. (Betty) Evans, who has overseen the city’s investment policies for the past 11 years, will retire effective Friday due to health complications, city officials said Thursday.

Evans, 53, suffered a gall bladder attack in July and has been recuperating under a doctor’s care. She had planned to return to work this month, but on advice from her physician, she said she decided to retire from office midway through her third four-year term.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” said Evans. “I have a real sense of duty and it’s very difficult not to be able to finish my term and do what the taxpayers put me in there to do.”

Evans began her career with the city in 1980 as a clerk typist in the data services division. She was transferred to the treasurer’s office and in 1984, was appointed to complete the term of her retiring predecessor.

She won election to the post in 1985, 1989 and 1993.

During her tenure, Evans often quarreled with City Council members and other officials over her philosophy, which was to put the taxpayer’s money only in investments with minimum risk--even if they yielded less return than other opportunities, she said.

“Glendale currently is not experiencing financial hardships like other cities and counties,” Mayor Rick Reyes said. “I believe Betty has had a lot to do with that.”

The City Council is expected to name an interim treasurer to complete Evans’ term. The post would then be open in the April, 1997, election, officials said.