Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is making a power play to gain more influence in his city. He’ll want budgetary and hiring powers currently shared by the City Council and city manager. – The Sacramento Bee
Stockton City Manager Gordon Palmer told the City Council that former deputy City Manager, Johnny Ford, used pull to get hundreds of free tickets for events at the Stockton Arena. Palmer was fired on July 14. – The Stockton Record …
… Palmer is on his way out, retiring as Stockton City Manager on Sept. 25. – The Stockton Record
Calistoga’s City Manager Jim McCann is part of the conversation as longtime Crystal Geyser Water Co. considers leaving town to build a larger plant in Sacramento. McCann worries that losing the bottling company would hurt economic diversity in a town built on tourism. – The Press Democrat
Rich Holmer’s contract is supposed to come with a yearly evaluation. But after four years, the Riverbank City Manager’s first performance review will take place. Recently, the city has seen controversy with the resignation of the city’s mayor and two Council members. – The Modesto Bee
From the City Manager to entry-level workers, Brentwood city workers will forgo pay hikes across the board. – The Mercury News
David Brandt, the former assistant City Manager in Alameda, is now the City Manager of Redmond, Ore. – KTVZ.com
Public employee pensions are often based on the highest annual total pay received on the job. A variety of ways can be used to “spike” pay shortly before retirement, thus boosting lifelong pensions that increase annually with inflation. A Manhattan Beach city manager received a $139,000 annual pension, $50,000 more than he earned on the job. But his pension was later cut by $60,000. – Capitol Weekly
Long Beach City Manager Pat West detailed the 2010 proposed budget, explaining painful cuts that are necessary to ensure the city’s financial health. – Long Beach Post
Like many cities in Southern California, Lake Elsinore has experienced a growth spurt in the past several years. In fact, this busy lake community has become much more than a summer destination for tourists, said City Manager Bob A. Brady. – PublicCEO.com
The Grand Terrace City Council voted to terminate Steve Berry as acting City Manager. – San Bernardino Sun