Breaking News: Sean Crumby Announces Departure as City Manager

  • May 18, 2026, 4:01 pm America/Los_Angeles

 

Irvine City Manager, Sean Crumby, has announced his retirement within 90 days, in a memorandum obtained by Irvine Watchdog. In the memo, headed “Dear City Team,” Crumby stated that his final day of employment would be August 14, 2026.

Crumby has served as City Manager for less than a year. The City Council named him Interim City Manager in July 2025, following the departure of his predecessor, Oliver Chi, to accept the city manager position in Santa Monica. On October 28, 2025, the Council unanimously appointed him to the permanent position–at an annual salary of $434,242, the same as Chi had received. At the time, Irvine Watchdog’s editorial board criticized the Council for making the appointment without conducting an open search process.

Crumby came to Irvine in April 2023, recruited by Chi to serve as Director of Project Delivery and Sustainability. The two had previously worked together in Huntington Beach.

Crumby was promoted to Assistant City Manager in December 2024, and thereafter was responsible for Great Park development, among other duties.

The announcement comes amid reports of a looming budget deficit of $6 million in the current fiscal year, projected to balloon to $51 million in four years, absent remedial measures.

Crumby noted in his memo: “Serving this organization and this community has been the greatest honor of my professional career. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with an exceptionally talented and dedicated team whose commitment to public service makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents every day.”