GRASS VALLEY, Calif. February 13, 2026 – Tim Kiser, who started as Grass Valley’s City’s Engineer, became Public Works Director and then City Manager since September 2017, has tendered his resignation. He will facilitate the transition before assuming his new position as the District Manager and Engineer for West Valley Sanitation District in Santa Clara County in late March.
Reached for comment, Kiser stated:
After more than 20 years of service to the City of Grass Valley, including eight years as City Manager, I have decided it is time to begin the next chapter of my life.
Serving this community alongside the City Council, staff, and residents has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career. Together, we achieved meaningful progress, including the revitalization of Memorial Park, development of the Mill Street Plaza project, and major infrastructure improvements such as the Dorsey Drive Interchange and the Idaho Maryland/East Main roundabout. Through Measures E and B, we strengthened Police and Fire services while investing in streets, parks, and long-term infrastructure.
We also advanced economic development and downtown revitalization, expanded recreational opportunities, and improved connectivity through projects like the Wolf Creek Trail. Along the way, we reinforced the City’s financial stability and successfully navigated significant challenges, demonstrating the resilience of our organization and community.
These achievements reflect the shared vision and hard work of the City Council, City staff, and our community partners. I am incredibly proud of what we have built together and confident that the City is well positioned for continued success.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve this remarkable community. I will always value the relationships and experiences I have gained here. Grass Valley will always be my home, and I wish the City continued progress and prosperity.
Tim Kiser
Millie, a Bernese Mountain dog donated to Grass Valley in 2024 by a Citrus Height non-profit, will accompany Kiser on his move to Santa Clara County.
Mayor Hilary Hodge said, “We really appreciate Tim for his years of service to the city. As most people know, he started as an engineer and grew into the role as a City Manager. We’re thankful for all he has done for the City of Grass Valley.”
Looking ahead, she continued,”This is an opportunity for Grass Valley to assess where we’re at as a city and think about which direction we want for leadership in the future. There are a lot of opportunities and a lot of talent out there. You know that Grass Valley is a wonderful place to live, work, and play. We know that the search for a new City Manager is going to bring us fresh eyes and talent. We look forward to working with someone who can come in and be a part of our community or come from the community to help move Grass Valley into the future.”
District 3 County Supervisor Lisa Swarthout, commented, “I worked with Tim for years at the City of Grass Valley, first as the City Engineer and Director of Public Works and then City Manager. He accomplished a tremendous amount while he was there, including the Dorsey Drive overpass, the Wolf Creek Trail and the Mill Street Plaza. I have always been grateful for his leadership and innovative approach to problem solving. In my role as the District 3 County Supervisor I continued to work with Tim on items that were in the best interest of the City and County. I will miss working with Tim, but wish him well in his next career endeavor.”
Police Chief Alex Gammelgard stated, “It has been a pleasure to work under City Manager Tim Kiser’s leadership, watching the city evolve and invest in the betterment of our community and its future. I wish him the very best in his future professional endeavors.”
According to the agenda of West Valley Sanitation District, Kiser is scheduled to begin in his new position on March 23rd. The employment agreement sets the annual base salary for the District Manager and Engineer position at $316,000 with a one-time payment of $5,000 to compensate Mr. Kiser for relocation costs.