San Bernardino leaders have chosen a new city manager, but the public will have to wait until later this month to find out who it is.
After conferring in closed session Wednesday, Sept. 6, elected officials unanimously directed City Attorney Sonia Carvalho to announce that a formal offer of employment has been made to a candidate for the top administrative position at City Hall.
That person’s name was not shared publicly.
The employment agreement with the City Council’s preferred candidate is expected to be on the Oct. 4 council agenda, Carvalho said, meaning the name would become public when that agenda is posted on the city’s website on Sept. 29.
Nearly 70 people applied for the city manager position, Carvalho said. City leaders interviewed five candidates.
In a phone interview Thursday, Sept. 7, Councilman Theodore Sanchez said “this was probably the best batch of candidates we’ve had” but he declined to say who was offered the gig.
“I think the fact we had such high-quality candidates applying for city manager in our city shows our reputation is changing,” Sanchez continued. “This is a city on the upswing opposed to a city that has plateaued or is heading in the wrong direction. The fact we had such high-caliber candidates seriously consider changing the direction of their lives by coming to the city of San Bernardino to work here is telling.
“The city’s reputation is changing,” Sanchez added, “and I’m excited to be part of a city that’s headed in the right direction.”
San Bernardino has been searching for a new top administrator since Rob Field resigned from the post in January.
Charles McNeely, who served as city manager from 2009-12, has filled the role on an interim basis since then.
