After 10 years of service, Dunsmuir’s finance director Keith Anderson will retire from his position on April 30.
The Dunsmuir City Council held a closed special meeting on Jan. 28 to conduct a performance evaluation for Anderson. Anderson said that he mentioned to the council the possibility of retirement, though he submitted his official letter of intent to retire to city staff on Jan. 29.
“I feel that there is a need to see what else God has in store for me,” said Anderson. He said it has been a pleasure serving the people of Dunsmuir. “I love the Dunsmuir community and staff. The staff we have here is awesome.”      
During his 10 years serving as finance director, Anderson also served as interim city administrator for 18 months prior to Alan Harvey taking over the reigns last fall.
During the past decade, Anderson has secured $5 million in grant funding for business assistance, housing rehabilitation, and water and sewer infrastructure improvements.
The water tower at Dunsmuir High School was made possible by a $1.6 million grant he secured.
Anderson also did the legwork for the grants that paid for new sewer lines along Siskiyou Ave., numerous airport improvement projects, and planning and technical assistance projects.
When he began his career with the city of Dunsmuir in the year 2000, the city’s combined funds totaled $1 million. Today, the combined total funds are $2 million.
Anderson is credited with balancing the city’s general fund over the past five years. Harvey said Anderson implemented positive changes in enterprise fund operations.
“The problem that this city has always had is an inadequate revenue stream in the general fund,” said Harvey.
“Revenue in Dunsmuir increases by three percent each year while operating costs increase by six percent each year,” said Anderson. This has presented a unique challenge in managing the city’s finances, he added.
Harvey said the city staff has yet to determine a plan to fill Anderson’s position. He anticipates that the permanent city administrator, whom the city council is currently working to recruit, will be instrumental in identifying qualified candidates to fill Anderson’s position.
“I am going on a leap of faith,” said Anderson, age 67. “I know that God has a plan for my future.”