CORONADO, CA (June 17, 2015) Leslie Suelter, director of Administrative Services for the City of Coronado, announced her retirement effective mid-November.
Suelter’s department is responsible for the City’s budget and finance functions, human resources and information technology. She has led the Administrative Services Department for nearly 13 years, overseeing a multimillion-dollar budget that is balanced year after year with a surplus.
“After a distinguished career leading various projects and a strong team at the City, Leslie will begin a much deserved retirement this fall,” said City Manager Blair King. “Those of us who work with Leslie daily know she not only cares about the quality of her work but about her staff and colleagues just as much.”
Under Suelter’s direction, the City of Coronado’s comprehensive annual financial report has earned back-to-back “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” awards for both years it applied for the honor bestowed by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, in 2013 and last year.
“The City acknowledges the work of Leslie and her department in receiving this honor,” King said. “It’s the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting a City can receive. It truly represents a significant accomplishment by Leslie and her team’s management of the City’s finances.”
Suelter has been key in Coronado’s development and implementation of innovative financial practices, such as advanced pension payments, creation of a post-employment benefits trust, and designated reserves. Moody’s Investors Services assigned a rare Aaa credit rating to Coronado last year. The City received the rating, the highest Moody’s assigns, for its exceptionally strong financial position evidenced by ample reserves and the absence of any outstanding debt. Coronado joined just eight other California cities and remains the only city in San Diego County to hold the Aaa rating.
A search for Suelter’s replacement will begin soon, said King, who anticipates casting a large net to generate a quality applicant pool.
