A guide to the recent news with California’s City Managers. This most recent edition includes a city voting out its city manager, city departments in trouble, city managers comings and goings and more.


City departments in trouble: What is the city manager’s role?
City Manager Ray Kerridge oversees a city government that is struggling with major controversies in its Community Development and Utilities departments.

Councilmembers are reacting to claims in a Jan. 6 grand jury report that the city may be breaking Proposition 218, a state law that mandates how city funds are used. – The Sacramento Press

Andy Souza’s Final Days as Fresno City Manager
Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin names a temporary replacement for out-going City Manager Andy Souza. Current Assistant City Manager, Bruce Rudd, will step into the roll until a new City Manager is named. – cbs47.tv

Indio City Manager Glenn Southard to retire
Glenn Southard, the Indio city manager who helped spark a residential and economic boom but in recent months has attracted controversy, announced his retirement last week. – The Desert Sun

Hughson votes out city manager; mayor calls for resignations
Many controversial issues were tackled at Monday night’s Hughson City Council meeting, that saw community and council members speaking out of turn in heated debate. – The Turlock Journal

Laguna Hills city manager gets $23K bonus
City officials ratified a performance bonus for City Manager Bruce Channing. Channing, who’s been at the city since 1991, will receive an additional $23,000 for work he accomplished in 2009. – The Orange County Register

Lawndale employee union plans vote against city manager
Lawndale City Manager Keith Breskin has led the community through some of its most prosperous years, but a city employee union claims he has also wreaked havoc in the process. – The Daily Breeze

South Tahoe city manager will not seek contract extension
David Jinkens is set to give up the reigns as South Lake Tahoe city manager come August. – Tahoe Daily Tribune


Selma City manager gets year contract extension
The Selma City Council awarded city manager D-B Heusser a one-year contract extension that began Jan. 19. Heusser said he did not get a raise with his new contract because of the city’s financial situation. Heusser makes about $108,000 per year. – The Selma Enterprise

Norco city manager: Tax revenues plunge
Less money is coming into Norco than expected from sales and property taxes, leaving city officials with the task of shaving some $225,000 from the budget. – The Press-Enterprise

Santa Rosa may hire city manager by July
Santa Rosa could have a new city manager by July. The City Council Tuesday agreed to hire Bob Murray & Associates of Roseville to head up a search to replace Jeff Kolin who left the city two weeks ago to become city manager of Beverly Hills. – The Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Dick Wilson, longtime city manager, to retire in July
Dick Wilson, who as city manager for 28 years has seen Santa Cruz through a devastating earthquake, steep budget cuts, an ever-changing political landscape and worries over water and university growth, announced Wednesday he will retire at the end of July. – Santa Cruz Sentinel

Mission Viejo council approves contract changes for city manager
The City Council approved ammendments to City Manager Dennis Wilberg’s contract 3-2 in closed session Monday night, on the eve of a recall election that could potential shift the council majority. – The Orange County Register

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