Costa Mesa finance director moving on to Seal Beach

Costa Mesa’s finance director is heading to Seal Beach.

Kelly Telford, who took the helm of the Costa Mesa Finance Department about a year and a half ago, will take on a new role in Seal Beach as director of finance and treasurer.

Her last day in the Costa Mesa job was Friday.

“I’m really going to miss the people and the great work that the Finance Department has done in the last year and a half that I’ve been here,” Telford said. “We’ve made great strides in improving what we do, and I know they’re going to continue what we’ve started.”

Telford had overseen Costa Mesa’s 23-member finance team since June 2018, when she moved from Los Angeles County.

During her time in Costa Mesa, Telford made it a goal to manage the city’s books, sweeping out clunky details in city ordinances to speed up processes. She also led the city’s budgeting process.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem John Stephens thanked Telford for her work and expressed regret at her leaving.

“It’s disappointing,” Stephens said. “She is a star.”

Councilwoman Sandy Genis agreed, saying, “I’m sad to see her go, and our loss is Seal Beach’s gain.”

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