Lemon Grove City Manager Graham Mitchell will step down next month, having accepted the assistant city manager position in Escondido. He informed the council of his decision Tuesday, effective June 16.
“I will miss working with all those in Lemon Grove,” Mitchell said. “Working in Lemon Grove has been the most enriching professional experience of my life. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work for the City of Lemon Grove.”
Mayor Mary Sessom lamented Mitchell’s departure but wished him well, calling him an excellent city manager.
Mitchell has held the post since 2003 and is earning a salary of $181,824.50 plus $60,000 for a deferred-compensation plan. As Escondido’s city manager, he will earn $203,000 per year. He is taking over for former Escondido City Manager Charles Grimm who retired in September after 24 years.
In addition to his work for Lemon Grove, Mitchell previously spent three years as city manager in Farmersville, a city of 10,000 located in Tulare County. He holds a bachelor’s in international relations from Brigham Young University and a master’s in public administration from the University of Southern California.
The Lemon Grove City Council will discuss plans to fill the position on May 19.
Read more about Graham Mitchell here.