IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
San Bernardino City Manager Charles Montoya has been fired.
During a closed session May 22, the city council voted unanimously to terminate Montoya’s contract without cause, according to multiple reports.
Montoya held the city manager’s position for eight months. No explanation for his dismissal was given.
The council also voted 5-3 to make Deputy City Manager Rochelle Clayton acting city manager. Council members Theodore Sanchez, Sandra Ibarra and Damon Alexander cast the dissenting votes.
Before joining San Bernardino in April, Clayton was Menifee’s assistant city manager.
The council took its action one week after Barbara Whitehorn, San Bernardino’s former director of finance and management services, addressed the council regarding the city’s efforts to restore its city hall.
Whitehorn said she was fired for claiming that the city can’t afford to renovate the building at 290 N. D St., which has been vacant for seven years.
In a statement, the city said Whitehorn was fired for cause and that her dismissal had nothing to do with the city hall project.
Montoya is likely to receive a 12-month severance based on his annual salary of $325,000, city spokesman Jeff Kraus said.
