Lake Elsinore City Manager's Employment Contract Extended; Some Cry Foul

Lake Elsinore City Manager Bob Brady will be at the helm for an added two years, and that has some in the community very angry.

During the March 8 Lake Elsinore City Council meeting, council members voted 3-2 to extend the city manager’s employment contract from August 31, 2013 to August 31, 2015.

Under the amended contract terms, Brady’s salary remains unchanged. He currently earns $185,000 annually.

Brady, who was appointed to his post in 2005, sat expressionless as seven community members blasted the contract extension Tuesday night. Many complained that the city’s growth has remained stagnant under Brady’s leadership.

“Why are we rushing in?” asked Jack Berg, noting that he agreed with other speakers who said Brady doesn’t deserve the extension because “nothing is getting done.”

The public comments became so heated that at one point Mayor Amy Bhutta had to resort to the gavel to regain control of the meeting.

Council members Daryl Hickman and Melissa Melendez both voted against the contract extension.

“We need to reward performance,” Melendez said. “This (extension) is premature.”

Melendez criticized Brady for not completing the city’s General Plan.

“It’s been six years,” she said.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Brady said he is committed to moving ahead on the General Plan.

“I am going to do everything I can to bring it forward,” he said.

Not everyone at the meeting was critical of Brady. Lake Elsinore resident Chris Hyland commended his performance, and Council members Brian Tisdale, Bob Magee and Mayor Amy Bhutta expressed confidence in his leadership.

“He is dedicated to this city,” said Councilman Bob Magee. “The General Plan is a complete disappointment ... (but) I think we have an exceptional leader in Mr. Brady.”

Councilman Brian Tisdale said City Council members should look inward regarding the General Plan.

“If you want the General Plan accomplished, then make it a priority,” he told those on the dais.

City Attorney Barbara Leibold explained that the extension made it to Tuesday night’s agenda because “some of the council members wanted to show a vote of confidence” in Brady's leadership.

Leibold said the extension decision was made during an annual performance evaluation of Brady that was conducted Feb. 22 in a closed session City Council meeting.