During the July 27, 2021 regular city council meeting, Grand Terrace councilmember’s approved the appointment of G. Michael Milhiser to become the interim city manager until the executive search firm Ralph Anderson & Associates recruits a permanent candidate to fill the city manager’s position.
During a regular city council meeting on June 22, 2021 at closed session, previous city manager, G. Harold Duffey submitted his letter of resignation from his position and his last day was July 20, 2021.
On July 13, city council awarded Ralph Anderson and Associates to manage the recruitment for a new permanent city manager for a contract amount not to exceed $29,000. Ralph Anderson and Associates says the recruitment process would take 4 months realistically from start to finish.
Milhiser has been interim city manager since July 28 and will have an automatic termination date of June 30, 2022. However, the agreement will be terminated earlier upon the city council's appointment of a permanent replacement for the city manager position.
“I’m excited to work for the City of Grand Terrace,” Milhiser said. “It’s an opportunity for me to continue in the profession that I’ve always loved, which is city management and working with elected officials and most importantly also working with the community.”
Council approved the agreement that Milhiser will not work more than 960 hours per fiscal year and will be compensated $17,916.67 per month. This is the same salary as the prior City Manager Duffey. According to the staff report, the interim city manager will not be eligible to receive any benefits other than the monthly salary outlined within the agreement.
Before the city council went to vote on the matter, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Hussey did decide to make an open comment about his opinion on the salary of the new interim city manager.
“I love Mr. Milhiser’s experience and I heard nothing but good things about him but my only concern is, which I brought up before, is the salary,” Hussey said. “I don’t agree on the salary. I don’t believe in bringing in someone at the top of the pay scale when they just start, that’s my concern and I’m pretty conservative on that so that’s my comment, thank you.”
The city council vote to approve Milhiser as interim city manager passed with a 4-1 vote, Mayor Pro Tem Hussey voted no.
According to the staff report done on the recommendation to appoint Milhiser, his background and experience is as follows:
- He holds a Master’s Degree in Government from the Claremont Graduate University, and a Bachelor's in Political Science from Chapman University.
- He brings nearly thirty (30) years of experience serving as the City Administrator/City Manager for the cities of Montclair, Upland and Ontario during the period of 1978 through 2005.
- He recently served as Interim City Manager for two local cities - Adelanto and Fontana.
- In the private sector, Mr. Milhiser served ten (10) years as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and as Interim Executive Director for the Tri-City Mental Health Agency in Pomona.
- Mr. Milhiser also brings extensive community service experience as a current Board Member for the Monte Vista Water District, and as a former Board Member for the White Foundation, and the YMCA Metro. Additionally, he has served as past president of the Montclair Kiwanis Club, and West End United Way.
“I really appreciate the mayor and the council’s confidence in me to serve in this capacity and I’ll do everything I can to continue what I consider great momentum that the City of Grand Terrace has and development in taking care of its residents,” Milhiser said.
For more local news and information click here.
[END]