Generous exit packages, fringe benefits and leave cash-outs placed seven Southern California officials onto a list of the Top 10 best-paid city managers in the state in 2023, according to newly released payroll data from the State Controller’s Office.
The former city manager of the tiny city of Commerce, Edgar Cisneros, topped the state’s chart, with his total wages landing at $639,326, thanks to an extra $400,000 in lump-sum payments made following his resignation in November. Cisneros’ wages bypassed the runner-up, Sacramento City Manager Howard Chan, by nearly $50,000.
The bulk of Cisneros’ extra pay from Commerce, home to about 12,000 residents, came from a separation agreement in which the city agreed to pay the remaining 13 months left on his contract and to cash out his accrued sick and vacation time, records showed.
Cisneros stepped down after he was identified in a federal cannabis probe and as questions mounted about his administration’s sweetheart deals with a local trucking company. Despite the controversies, the City Council, eager for new leadership, did not have cause to dismiss Cisneros and opted to pay him out to avoid potential litigation in the future, Mayor Hugo Argumedo said.
“We tried to make it as amicable as we could,” Argumedo said. “It could have become contentious and that’s what we tried to avoid. It was a lot cheaper for us to move in this direction.”
Related: Is your city manager one of 14 in California to make $500,000 in 2022? Find out
Six of the seven highest paid city managers in Southern California last year separated from their cities and collected an average of $238,858 in extra compensation on the way out the door, the data showed. That’s only slightly less than what a typical city manager in California makes as their regular salary.
Pomona, Rialto near top of list
Former Pomona City Manager James Makshanoff and former Rialto City Manager Marcus Fuller were the third and fourth highest paid city managers in the…
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