Sergio Gonzalez Appointed Interim City Manager

City Council passed a resolution Wednesday night appointing Assistant City Manager Sergio Gonzalez as Interim City Manager with a annual salary of $143,000.

This salary is a 10 percent increase over what Gonzalez is making now. He began his new role Monday.

Gonzalez takes the place of John Davidson, who was brought on as full-time City Manager in April 2011 with an annual salary of $165,000. that Davidson had been appointed City Manager of Irwindale.

Planning Ahead

There are two positions in City government that Council has direct authority over: City Manager and City Attorney.

"Initially we brought [John Davidson] on as an interim City Manager," said Mayor Mike Ten in a "I think we have strategically put a good man in a good place ready to step up for us."

"People always ask me why Sergio is talking for the City," continued Ten. "Because Sergio is the future of our City."

Davidson's employment contract (signed in June 2011 and attached) says he "shall mentor and train an in-house candidate to ultimately assume the responsibilities of the position of City Manager."

Council member Richard Schneider agreed with hiring from within: "I think the idea of promoting from inside is good. I would like to see stability is in the City. I would like to see someone who is going to stay here for a while," he said.

The Hiring Process

Although City Council has decided not to hire a new City Manager until after elections, it has two options to fill the permanent position: It can appoint someone using its own judgment or conduct a formal recruitment process.

"Typically, recruitment at this executive level are conducted by a professional recruitment firm and can cost upwards of $20,000 to $30,000," said Sergio Gonzalez. "A firm is brought on to meet with the Council to get feedback in regard to the background, experience and specific expertise they are looking for." 

Once the firm recruits and narrows down candidates, the Council would interview the selected individuals. The Council would then give the City Attorney the authority to negotiate the terms and conditions for a formal contract. This process would take anywhere between 3 and 4 months.

People are Talking

With talks of Gonzalez permanently filling the position of City Manager, residents have again raised transparency concerns.

And some of those running for City Council agree.

"It was ... a disservice to name Sergio Gonzalez in candidate forum. Whether or not he is qualified or the best candidate, we cannot have another shame interview process," City Council candidate Ernie Arnold commented on a recent Patch article, referring to the appointment of Police Chief Joe Payne.

Other residents have asked if the City could save money by eliminating the Assistant City Manager position.

"Whether to fill or leave vacant the position of assistant City Manager position due to my possible promotion to City Manager, that has not been discussed," said Gonzalez.

"However, knowing first-hand the tasks, workload and importance of the Assistant City Manager position, I certainly would not recommend eliminated it or leaving it unfilled at this point," he continued.

Gonzalez came to South Pas in 2003 as a part of the community services department. He was promoted to Assistant City Manager in December 2008.