Tempe has selected five new top managers for a streamlined management structure that is designed to cut expenses as the city balances its budget.
Chris Anaradian is the new community development director and had been development services manager. Kathy Berzins is community services director after holding the job on an interim basis. Ken Jones becomes finance and technology director after being the audit manager. Interim fire chief Mark Simmons now has that job permanently. Donald Bessler was named public works director, coming from Longmont, Colo.
The merged departments will save $1.5 million a year as the city tries to balance a projected $33.7 million deficit. The fire chief's promotion was unrelated to the budget cuts. Most of the managers begin their roles June 28.
City Manager Charlie Meyer made the selections after conducting a nationwide search.
