Santa Ana has hired a new city manager but, like every decision that comes before the dais, this one was fraught with disagreement.
Lynwood Public Works Director Raul Godinez got the nod last Tuesday in a divided 4-3 vote by what increasingly looks like the unhappiest city council ever.
“This is probably the most political and divisive city council Santa Ana has ever had,” Councilwoman Michelle Martinez acknowledged. “We don’t like one another and we certainly don’t trust one another. Anyone who comes to this city understands they face these challenges.”
The city is going to have to pay dearly for its dysfunction. With a total compensation package of $489,000, Godinez will be the second-highest paid chief executive in the state when he takes over on Nov. 1. The difficulty in attracting experienced professionals to a city where councilmembers are constantly at each other’s throats appears to have influenced the generous offer.
It still didn’t sit well with some.
“This is a lot of money, taxpayer money, that could be better invested,” said Cecilia Iglesias, a Santa Ana Unified School District board member. “The median salary in the city of Santa Ana is $50,000. How could you justify (this amount of money) for one person?”
Councilman Jose Solorio also agreed the compensation was too high. For Mayor Miguel Pulido though, the main concern centered on Godinez’s experience -- and whether his time as Public Works Director could adequately translate to the city manager’s job.
Godinez has held a city management post before, however, serving as the top administrator of El Monte from 2013 to 2015. He also served as public works director in Oakland from 2001 to 2009 and Santa Ana from 2009 to 2013.
Read more about Santa Ana’s new city manager here.