Bradley begins term as Menifee's interim city manager

Ron Bradley is on the job as Menifee's interim city manager after his hiring was approved by the City Council last week.

In a special meeting of the City Council on Feb. 15, the council unanimously approved the hiring of Bradley, who previously worked as city manager in Temecula, La Mesa, Laguna Hills, Murrieta and Hemet. The length of his term as interim city manager has not been determined, depending on the time required to search for a permanent replacement for Rob Johnson, who resigned in December.

Bradley, 77, is a retiree through the California Public Employee Retirement System (CALPERS). Therefore, his salary could not be negotiated by the City Council. According to state policy, he is entitled to receive the same compensation as the departing city manager.

Johnson's annual base salary at the time of his departure was $194,775 -- $16,230 per month. That is the monthly salary Bradley will receive, and his benefits will continue to be paid by the state, said city attorney Jeffrey Melching. Bradley is eligible to work up to 24 weeks per fiscal year, which re-sets on July 1. According to Melching, his "limited appointment" contract does not include a termination clause, so no severance payment would be made.

"I feel very confident in the decision we made," Mayor Neil Winter said.