City Administrative Officer Bill Fujioka let it be known today that he will retire at the end of the year, giving the mayor another senior slot that he gets to fill. Fujioka was appointed to the top staff job at City Hall by Mayor Richard Riordan in 1999. Fujioka said personal reasons make it time to leave now. "Under Villaraigosa, Fujioka has emerged as a major figure in dealing with the budget and efforts to reduce a structural deficit as well as the lead in dealing with the Engineers and Architects Association during its job action over its contract this summer," Rick Orlov writes on the Daily News website. Villaraigosa's statement says:

Bill has been a tremendous asset to the City of Los Angeles. He has been a steady hand with unparalleled knowledge and understanding of our fiscal and management challenges. Bill will be greatly missed and leaves huge shoes to fill. He has my deepest gratitude, and the gratitude of the entire city family. I look forward to working with him over the next few months to lay the foundation for the city's upcoming budget.