Santa Cruz Fire Chief and FInance Director Announce Retirements

Fire Chief Ron Oliver, who has been Santa Cruz Fire Chief for five years will retire by the end of 2011, as will Finance Director Jack Dilles.

The announcements were made Wednesday by City Manager Martin Bernal.

"Chief Oliver and Mr. Dilles served the City with distinction,"Bernal wrote in a press release. "They wholeheartedly devoted their talents, experience and creativity to serving our community and they will be missed."

Unlike some fire departments, Santa Cruz's includes lifeguards stationed at city beaches, who monitor 652,000 visitors a year. The department has 75,000 calls for service a year, some 70 percent for medical problems.

Oliver, 65, earned $159,449 as chief in 2010.

Both city officials faced budget challenges over the past years.

Dilles, 59, who served for three years as finance director, earned the city awards for financial reporting. He alsoby officials and employees, including Friday furloughs.

A Scotts Valley resident, he serves on the Santa Cruz County Board of Education. His term expires in 2014.

He served eight years as finance director in Morgan Hill before coming to Santa Cruz.