Lacey Hires Former Deputy City Manager

The Ventura deputy city manager who abruptly quit earlier this summer will go to work next week for county Supervisor Susan Lacey, his former employer.

Steve Chase’s duties will include developing ideas for how the county should spend the estimated $11.7 million it will get this year in Proposition 10 funds, said Ed Webster, Lacey’s senior administrative assistant.

The measure, which voters approved last November, imposes a tax of 50 cents per pack on cigarettes to help fund childhood development programs. Lacey is a member of the statewide Children and Families First Commission, set up to oversee the locally administered Proposition 10 spending program. About $690 million is expected to be raised statewide from the tax this year.

Chase also will advise Lacey on transportation, human services and county behavioral health issues, including any continuing ramifications of the federal Medicare fraud investigation and $15.3-million settlement spurred by the failed merger of the county’s mental health and social services agencies.

“Steve worked here before he worked at the city,” Webster said. “When he left it was a big loss, so we’re really happy to have him back.”

Chase’s salary has yet to be set, Webster said. Chase, who quit his job after a report was released on the low morale of city workers, could not be reached Monday for comment.