BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills City Council has selected Interim City Manager Mahdi Aluzri as the new City Manager. Aluzri takes over the position that was previously held by Jeff Kolin, who retired earlier this year.

According to a press release from the City of Beverly Hills, Aluzri, 57, has worked for the municipal government for over 30 years. Before he was appointed as the Interim City Manager, Aluzri was the Beverly Hills Assistant Manager for six years.

“I am extremely honored to be appointed as permanent city manager,” said Aluzri. “This is a unique and wonderful community, and I look forward to many more years of providing the highest quality programs and services to Beverly Hills residents and businesses.”

From 2007 to 2009, Aluzri served as Deputy City Manager for the City of Rancho Cucamonga. He oversaw four departments, managing a staff of around 250 people and maintaining a budget of around $25 million. The departments focused on community development functions, including public works, engineering, utilities, planning, building and safety and code enforcement.

“Mahdi is a seasoned professional who has done an outstanding job as Interim City Manager,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold. “His integrity, his leadership skills and his intimate knowledge of Beverly Hills has served our city very well. He is both a practical and creative manager whose skills and principles will guide our city organization and the Beverly Hills community as we move forward.”

Aluzri has worked for the City of Beverly Hills for 17 years, five of which he served Director of the Planning and Community Development Department. He is a licensed professional engineer in the State of California and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

The Beverly Hills City Council started its new search for a city manager after the retirement of Kolin and worked with the executive search firm Ralph Andersen & Associates to find the most qualified candidates nationwide for the position.

Canyon News spoke with Cheryl Friedling, Deputy City Manager for the City of Beverly Hills, via email about the selection of Mr. Aluzri for the city manager position.

“The term of Mr. Aluzri’s contract will be before the City Council on October 6. I cannot definitively state the term, as it it up to the City Council, but in past years, City Managers have been appointed to 5-year terms,” said Fredling. She noted that there were more than 40 applicants in contention for the position.

Aluzri will be responsible for overseeing a staff of more than 800 employees and managing affairs of municipality operating under a council-manager form of government, with an annual budget of over $400 million. His duties will include carrying out priorities for the City Council, hiring and supervising a staff through 10 department directors, preparing a draft budget each year and researching and making recommendations about things vital to the community.

For more information and updates about the City of Beverly Hills, visit https://www.beverlyhills.org/.