Fresno City Attorney Douglas T. Sloan speaks to the City Council in this June 2018 file photo.

After 16 years with the City of Fresno, Doug Sloan is leaving his job as city attorney, accepting the same post for the City of Santa Monica.

The announcement was made official Tuesday evening.

He currently oversees 148 employees, including the Code Enforcement division.  He also supervises 28 attorneys and is himself the top attorney for the mayor, city manager, city council and city staff.

“I have loved my 16 years here at the Fresno City Attorney’s Office, especially the wonderful group of people in the office who have become lifelong friends,” said Sloan in a statement. “The decision to leave has been very difficult, but Santa Monica is an incredible opportunity that I really look forward to.”

Sloan worked under three mayoral administrations and with more than a dozen councilmembers during his nine years leading the City’s legal department.

“I have mixed emotions over City Attorney Doug Sloan’s departure from the City of Fresno,” Mayor Jerry Dyer said. “I am excited for Doug in his new role as the City Attorney for Santa Monica. However, Doug’s experience, knowledge and political savvy will be very difficult to replace in Fresno.  Fortunately, Doug built a very strong team of attorneys in his office, which will minimize the impact felt in the legal arena.”

Sloan will be honored at the Fresno City Council’s meeting on May 26, which will officially be “Doug Sloan Day” in the City of Fresno. 

“I have had the pleasure of working with Doug Sloan for over 16 years. He has been a dedicated leader and a consummate professional working in a form of government that is outside the norm. I will miss his wry sense of humor and wish him nothing but the best in his new position,” City Manager Georgeanne White said.

Sloan’s final day on the job will be June 3.