It's official: Johnson out as Menifee city manager

Rob Johnson's departure from the Menifee city manager position was made official Tuesday, with new mayor Neil Winter making the announcement after a 2 1/2-hour closed session of the Menifee City Council.

Reading from a prepared statement, Winter said the city council "has voted unanimously to accept the city manager's decision to resign." On Monday, Menifee 24/7 quoted sources as saying Johnson would be fired. The terminology used in the statement could have to do with negotiations over a possible severance package.

In his statement, Winter said Johnson's resignation "will be effective on approval of a separation document. We will be preparing a press release and other documents, explaining all the factors, that will be reviewed and presented at the next council meeting."

According to public documents, Johnson's salary including benefits was more than $261,000. He has four years remaining on a contract extension signed in October 2015. According to the terms of that agreement, he received a 5 percent salary increase effective July 1, 2015 and a 6 percent increase effective July 1, 2016.

That document states that Johnson (left) is entitled to "six months salary as severance together with all accumulated administrative leave, vacation and sick leave at his highest full salary earned during his tenure with the City," if the City terminates him "or is deemed to have terminated" him.

That last phrase could be a key issue in the final settlement of this case. If it is determined that Johnson was officially terminated or "deemed to have been terminated," a six-month separation package would total more than $91,000 on base salary alone.

Johnson was promoted from a staff position to interim city manager in November 2012, after Bill Rawlings was fired following the election of Mann as mayor. This was Johnson's first job as city manager. He was appointed full-time city manager by the council in February 2014.

Winter announced Tuesday that Jeff Wyman, currently serving as economic development director for the City, will serve as acting city manager while a search is conducted for an interim city manager. According to Winter, "We also have discussed our alternatives for finding a highly qualified candidate to fill the position. We are going to take steps and use all resources to accomplish that."

Wyman (right) declined to comment following the meeting, saying he needed time to meet with the city attorney and staff members before discussing his new duties.

"Our primary goal is to build a strong and effective City Hall and continue our growth in a positive, balanced process," Winter said in concluding his prepared statement. Neither Winter nor any other council member made any additional comments. Council member John Denver was absent.

Scrutiny of Johnson's performance as city manager was heightened when council member Matt Liesemeyer requested and received council approval for an employee review of Johnson last fall. This came shortly after it was revealed that Johnson signed a $12,400 check to pay for then-mayor Scott Mann to attend a leadership seminar at Harvard. That check was signed without the knowledge of other council members and was voided after others learned of it.

Until further details about the reasons for Johnson's departure are reported by the city council, questions will remain about the particulars surrounding this action. The next city council meeting will take place Jan. 4.