Belknap Decides Against Taking New County Position

Citing health problems, Andrew Belknap, Ojai’s city manager since 1990, will not accept a job as the county’s first chief financial officer next month.

Belknap referred to an unspecified health problem, which he said arose in mid-December, in a letter he sent to the county’s administrative offices Thursday.

The position will instead be filled by Angela Sheffield, who now works in San Diego County as the North County Transit District’s director of fiscal and support services, county Chief Administrative Officer Harry Hufford said. Sheffield was a close contender for the position, Hufford said.

“I’m disappointed that Andy won’t be able to be here, but I don’t want to diminish the selection of Angela,” Hufford said. “I thought Andy had more local knowledge, but she is his counterpart. They are both bright, high achievers and hard working.”

Belknap, Ojai’s public works director for three years before becoming city manager 11 years ago, was offered $107,000 a year to fill the financial officer post. He accepted the job at the end of November and was slated to start work in February.

Belknap and close associates declined to elaborate on his medical condition. His letter to the county said, in part, “I am obviously disappointed and dispirited by this situation, but right now I need to concentrate on my health, rather than work and career.”

Dan Singer, Ojai’s interim city manager for the past 1 1/2 months, said Belknap expects a full recovery. “It’s not cancer or anything that would threaten his life,” he said. “Once he gets through treatments, he will be interested in taking on some work.”

In his letter to the county, Belknap said he expected to work on a part-time basis in the next month.

Hufford said Belknap might work on specific projects for the county.

“When he is ready to enter the workplace, I see many special projects where his brain power and experience could be really helpful,” Hufford said.