CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - At the February 11 meeting of the Citrus Heights City Council, City Manager Chris Boyd recommended the appointment of William Zenoni to serve as Interim Administrative Services Director. The City needs to appoint an interim director while they work to recruit and hire a permanent candidate for the position—which was recently vacated by former Assistant City Manager and Administrative Services Director Ronda Rivera, who abruptly retired on February 5, 2021.

Zenoni would be hired as a retired annuitant and, per CalPERS retirement rules, his salary would be restricted to the general pay scale for the position without any other compensation or benefits, which ensures that Zenoni retains his current retirement benefits. City Manager Boyd explained that hiring Zenoni as a retired annuitant would benefit the City’s budget: Based on the annuitant salary rules, the City will save approximately $100,000 annually while Zenoni holds the interim position.

The Administrative Services Director plays a vital role in the City’s functions, and City Manager Boyd explained that it is critical that an appointment be made swiftly to ensure there is no delay in services during the recruitment process for a permanent replacement. Boyd explained that when he started as City Manager in 2016, the City had six departments and six department heads. Now, there are just four departments and two department heads, so a vacant management position threatens to slow the business of government. In addition to his responsibilities as City Manager and running Public Works, Boyd is currently overseeing the Administrative Services Department until an appointment is made.

Zenoni has over 35 years of experience in governmental finance and management (including experience working as a city manager). He has also worked with the City of Citrus Heights for several years consulting and is very familiar with the City’s finances. City Manager Boyd said that Zenoni is “highly qualified” and “extremely experienced.”

Councilmember Jeannie Bruins said, “I think we’re very fortunate to have someone of Mr. Zenoni’s qualifications … who understands not only the responsibilities that are going to be facing us, but also understands our culture and will fit in very well.”

Councilmember Tim Schaefer asked how many other annuitants were interviewed for this position. Since the appointment is for an interim director, City Manager Boyd answered, “None.”

Councilmember Schaefer referred to the Council’s recent financial study session, during which Mr. Zenoni highlighted unfunded City needs as part of his budget presentation, which focused on the need for continued service cuts and staff vacancies in order to balance future budgets. Schaefer characterized Zenoni’s presentation as “misleading,” even suggesting that the recommended budget cuts were “reprisatory [sic] for Measure M not passing.” Schaefer stated that the budget recommendations have “shaken my trust in the city manager, and in Mr. Zenoni. So, it’s no question that I will definitely be voting no on this.”

Vice Mayor Porsche Middleton said that since the City is in the midst of reworking the budget, they need someone who is familiar with the City’s financial challenges. “Mr. Zenoni seems like an obvious pick in the interim until we can find someone that can actually fill that position.” She also suggested the City is fortunate to get that level of expertise while saving $100,000 annually.  

“As for it being more of a reprisal for the lack of Measure M—I sincerely doubt that that’s the case,” said Vice Mayor Middleton. “As a Council, we stand here together to make sure we’re doing the best job we can for the benefit of our community, and retaliation is not something that I have ever seen any of my colleagues participate in or anything that I’ve ever seen Christopher Boyd participate in. So, I don’t really appreciate the comment.”

Mayor Miller agreed, stating that Zenoni “knows our budget inside and out.” Addressing Councilmember Schaefer’s statements, Mayor Miller pointed out that Schaefer, as the newest councilmember, might be having trouble understanding the ten-year financial forecast and how it impacts decisions about the two-year budget. “I really believe we’re proceeding as the voters asked us to. They gave us a mandate to tighten our belt and cut costs.”

Councilmember Bret Daniels acknowledged Zenoni’s qualifications, but said he felt the process was being rushed: “It has not been a week since the assistant city manager left abruptly. I don’t know why she left. So, all of a sudden, now we’re going to drop on our lap a replacement right away. And it may be the route to go, but it just seems to be awfully quick.” While he did recognize the tremendous workload created by the vacancy, he said, “I would prefer to put this off for a few weeks, but I don’t think we’ll have that support from a majority of the Council.”

Mayor Miller addressed Daniel’s comments about Rivera’s retirement, stating, “I’m sure it was a personal decision. It’s none of my business, it’s none of your business, it’s none of anybody’s business.”

The resolution passed three to two, with Councilmembers Schaefer and Daniels dissenting. Zenoni’s employment as Interim Administrative Services Director will run from March 8, 2021, until June 30, 2022, or until permanent candidate is hired.