Lodi City Clerk Randi Johl-Olson is leaving for the same position in the City of Temecula. Her impending departure was confirmed Friday by Lodi Mayor Phil Katzakian.
Johl-Olson has been with the city for seven years. Her announcement came just two days after the city council approved a 14.8 percent pay increase and reclassification for the position, which is now designated as City Clerk/Legislative Affairs Officer.
“We wanted to make sure we retained her, and it didn’t go as smoothly as we hoped, I guess,” Katzakian said. “We’re not going to find a better city clerk in California.”
Council Member Bob Johnson echoed that sentiment, saying he wasn’t surprised that another city would want to bring her on board.
Demand for top city officials is intense, notes Council Member Larry Hansen. In January, Lodi lost former City Manager Rad Bartlam to the City of Chino Hills. Before Bartlam left, Lodi officials made a counter-offer in order to try to retain him as well, but it was not enough to keep him in the city.
Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Perrin is expected to take over for Johl-Olson in the interim.
Read more about Johl-Olson’s departure here.