Politics & Government

Lake Elsinore City Manager, City Attorney Receive Strong Support During Council Meeting

City Manager Bob Brady and City Attorney Barbara Leibold have been the focus of criticism by some in the community who claim the officials are overpaid and underperforming, but Tuesday's meeting saw a wave of support for both.

Tuesday night's Lake Elsinore City Council meeting attracted a full house as residents turned out to speak for and against two city officials.

City Manager Bob Brady and City Attorney Barbara Leibold have been the focus of criticism by some in the community who claim the officials are overpaid and underperforming, but Tuesday's meeting saw a wave of support for both.

Interest has intensified over recent weeks after . Increased scrutiny came after it was publicly announced on March 18 that Leibold’s performance was being reviewed by City Council during closed session Tuesday afternoon.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But Tuesday’s meeting brought out more supporters than detractors.

Chris Hyland, a longtime Lake Elsinore resident who describes herself as a “community watchdog,” was on hand Tuesday to lend her support to both officials. She said they are honest, hardworking leaders.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I don’t have a reputation for holding my tongue,” she said, noting her history of going toe-to-toe with city officials on issues she disagrees with. “I have never shied away from criticizing, but Bob and Barbara are true diamonds.”

Lake Elsinore resident Jamie Kelly concurred with Hyland.

“We haven’t always been on the same path,” Kelly said of Hyland, adding, “but she is absolutely right on the money.”

Kelly praised Brady and Leibold, and was critical of their detractors.

“(You’re) creating controversy where there really isn’t any,” she said.

Lake Elsinore resident and business owner Kimberly Ryan directed her comments to Brady.

"As a business owner, I can't thank you enough," she said. "My father is a city manager, and he's making a lot more money than you."

During the meeting, 11 people expressed support for Brady and Leibold; fewer than a handful spoke against them.

Among the critics was Lake Elsinore resident Connie Soto. She, along with about four other community members, protested prior to the meeting. Standing outside the Cultural Center on Main Street Tuesday, the venue for City Council meetings, they held signs that read slogans such as “Lake Elsinoreans Demand Transparency From Their Elected Officials,” and “Bhutta Tisdale Magee Shame On You.”

Mayor Amy Bhutta, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Magee, and Councilman Brian Tisdale voted during the March 8 meeting to extend the city manager’s employment contract. Council members Melissa Melendez and Daryl Hickman voted against the extension.

Soto has generated a petition that calls for putting the city attorney job out to bid. She says she has garnered 500 signatures from residents and has vowed to keep pushing forward on the issue.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Soto also called into question the accuracy of Leibold’s billing and accounting methods.

“I have a problem with people misleading the residents,” she said.

For her part, Leibold thanked residents for expressing their viewpoints, and offered an olive branch.

“I am happy to spend as much time as anyone wants,” she told the audience.

Councilman Brian Tisdale also thanked residents on both sides of the issue, saying, “It is important that government remains transparent.”

For those who have questions for Brady or Leibold, both will be available March 24 during a 7 p.m. Lake Elsinore Citizens Committee meeting at Tuscany Hills Recreation Center.


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