The Venice City Council held a special meeting on June 25, 2025, to conduct final interviews for the city manager position, a critical role for the future of the community. The meeting featured discussions with several candidates, focusing on their qualifications, experiences, and visions for Venice.

One candidate emphasized their extensive background in managing large-scale capital projects and resilience initiatives. They expressed confidence in their ability to drive economic growth and community engagement, stating, "Together, we can ensure Venice remains a vibrant, sustainable community long into the future." This candidate highlighted their commitment to aligning city projects with resident needs, citing a successful bond program that involved community input.

Another candidate, with a decade of experience as an assistant city manager in a larger city, shared insights into effective budgeting processes. They discussed their approach to securing grants and tax increment financing, which has significantly increased funding for projects. They noted the importance of collaboration among departments to maximize grant opportunities, stating, "It's been pretty stunning. It's tens of millions of dollars that are being brought in."

The discussions also touched on various budgeting methodologies, including performance budgeting and the potential for zero-based budgeting. The candidate explained that while performance budgeting encourages departments to justify their funding requests based on strategic priorities, zero-based budgeting could enhance efficiency but requires considerable effort.

As the council moves forward with the selection process, the insights shared during these interviews will play a crucial role in determining the next city manager, who will be tasked with guiding Venice through its future challenges and opportunities. The council's decision is expected to have lasting implications for the community's development and engagement strategies.