TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Diego Chavez, Administrative Services Director
PREPARED BY: Tiffany Israel, City Attorney
SUBJECT:
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Appointment of Justin Clifton as City Manager and Approval of City Manager Employment Agreement
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 24-4795 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Appointing Justin Clifton as Acting City Manager Effective November 22, 2024 and Approving a City Manager Employment Agreement with Justin Clifton and Appointing Him as Permanent City Manager Effective January 12, 2025.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
None.
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Maintain a high performing organization that values fiscal sustainability, transparency, accountability and organizational efficiency.
BACKGROUND
The City of Murrieta’s (City) current City Manager, Kim Summers, recently announced her retirement from the City effective January 11, 2025. Accordingly, the City is in need of the services of a new permanent City Manager beginning January 12, 2025.
After undertaking a recruitment for a new City Manager, the City Council determined that the City’s current Assistant City Manager, Justin Clifton, has the executive and administrative qualifications and ability to assume the role of City Manager. Mr. Clifton holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fort Lewis College in Political Science and Philosophy and a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Leadership from Colorado University. He has received additional training in leadership and organizational excellence through programs including the Rocky Mountain Leadership Institute, and the Harvard Kennedy School program for Executives in State and Local Government. Mr. Clifton has maintained status as a Credentialed Manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) for more than 10 years and pursued other areas of ICMA program excellence, including performance management, public engagement, and high-performing organization models. He also holds a certificate in Lean process improvement for government. Mr. Clifton has previously served as the City Manager for the cities of Bayfield and Delta, Colorado, Palm Springs, California and Sedona, Arizona.
The City Council worked through the City Attorney’s office to negotiate the terms of an employment agreement with Mr. Clifton. The proposed employment agreement between the City and Mr. Clifton is attached to this staff report, as Exhibit A to Resolution No. 24-4795.
The City Council will now consider whether to appoint Justin Clifton as City Manager and approve the proposed employment agreement. Approval of Resolution No. 24-4795 would appoint Mr. Clifton as permanent City Manager effective January 12, 2025, and approve the employment agreement between the City and Mr. Clifton for his services as permanent City Manager.
Additionally, Resolution 24-4795, if approved, would appoint Mr. Clifton as Acting City Manager effective November 22, 2024, and authorize compensation of $341,712.80 beginning the same date.
The terms of the proposed employment agreement between the City and Mr. Clifton include the following:
1. Initial annual base salary of $341,712.80. Cost of living increases equal to other management employees.
2. Three-year agreement term - January 12, 2025, until January 11, 2028.
3. Cell phone expense allowance of $70 per month.
4. Annual leave and administrative leave in the same amount as provided to the at-will executive management employees of the City.
5. Automobile allowance of $600 per month.
6. Enrollment in CalPERS retirement plan as “new” miscellaneous member of CalPERS.
7. City to pay 100% of the premium for group medical and dental care for employee and dependents.
8. Deferred compensation contribution equal to the maximum 457(b) annual allowed amount (excluding catch-up contributions).
9. 12 months’ severance in the event of termination without cause (subject to state law/ Gov. Code §53260 limitation on severance paid for the unexpired term of the contract).
California Government Code section 54953(c)(3) requires an oral report in an open meeting summarizing the proposed final action on salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of a city manager. A summary of the compensation and benefits will be stated verbally on this agenda item prior to consideration for approval.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of approving the employment agreement has been accounted for in the FY 2024/25 budget. The FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 cost will be added to the next Biennial Budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 24-4795 (Employment Agreement attached as Exhibit “A”)