For City Council Meeting February 11, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, Acting City Manager
AUTHOR: Eric S. Vail, City Attorney
Title
Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No. 8322 appointing Tanya Williams as City Manager and approving an employment agreement between the City of Rialto and Tanya Williams.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt a Resolution appointing Tanya Williams as City Manager and approving an employment agreement between the City of Rialto and Tanya Williams
BACKGROUND
The City of Rialto separated from the previous City Manager in April of 2024 and has had an interim agreement for City Manager with Michael Milheiser since that time. In December of 2024, the City Council launched a formal search for the permanent position of City Manager.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Following a formal recruitment and selection process, Tanya Williams was identified by the City Council as the candidate most qualified to perform the duties of City Manager. As a result of the nationwide outreach, 29 applications were received with 14 considered to be highly qualified. Of those, the City Council interviewed 7 highly qualified candidates for the position. The group was then narrowed to 3 candidates. All finalists were determined to be highly capable with excellent credentials, experience, and a potential fit for the City of Rialto.
After careful deliberation, the City Council provided direction to the hired recruiting firm, staff and counsel to negotiate an employment agreement, reflecting authorized parameters, with Tanya Williams. Ms. Williams is currently the Assistant City Manager for the City of Rialto.
Ms. Williams brings extensive experience in City Government and has served with the City of Rialto since 2022. Prior to coming to Rialto, Ms Williams also held positions with the Cities of San Bernardino, Indian Wells in addition to several cities in the Portland, OR metro region, including as Deputy City Manager for the City of Tualatin. She has extensive experience in local government and hold’s a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Portland State University. She is known for her ability to build strong teams, effective community partnerships and has a demonstrated ability to advance strategic priorities.
If approved by the City Council, Ms. Williams’ employment as the City Manager will begin February 11, 2025. The City Council is asked to approve the attached Resolution which appoints Tanya Williams as the City Manager and authorizes the Mayor to execute the attached Employment Agreement with Tanya Williams.
As required by California Government Code Section 54953(c)(3), the following is a summary of the recommended final action on the salary and fringe benefit compensation for the City Manager: Ms Williams’ annual salary will be $359,195 and she will be entitled to other employee benefits provided to the executive management employees/department heads, except as specifically outlined in her employment contract.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The request is not a Project as defined by Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Ther action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsible manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and agreement and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The costs associated with the Employment Agreement are within the City Council-approved budget for the City Manager position. As such, the current budget has adequate funding available for cost during the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget with this action.