News Summary
The Newport Beach City Council has appointed Seimone Jurjis as the new city manager. His appointment comes with a five-year contract and a $363,000 salary. Concerns have been raised about the lack of public transparency in the selection process, which followed a lawsuit alleging misconduct. Residents have also questioned the financial implications of the transition, especially with a $455,000 severance package granted to the outgoing city manager. Jurjis, who has extensive municipal experience, will officially take over on December 27.
Newport Beach, California – The Newport Beach City Council has appointed Seimone Jurjis as the city’s next city manager, following a unanimous vote of 6-0 on Tuesday. Jurjis, who has served as the assistant city manager for the past two years, will officially take over the position from outgoing City Manager Grace Leung upon her retirement on December 26, 2023.
Jurjis’s employment agreement stipulates a five-year term with an annual starting salary of $363,000. However, his appointment comes amid concerns from some residents about the selection process, specifically regarding the lack of public transparency and the council’s decision to offer Leung a $455,000 severance package despite her retiring a year earlier than initially expected.
Community members have voiced confusion over the absence of a public application process for the new city manager role. During a recent council meeting, Councilmember Erik Weigand addressed these concerns, explaining that the city charter’s selection process was appropriately followed in Jurjis’s appointment.
Some residents, such as Jim Mosher, argued that the process should have included a public application, expressing dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of transparency. Additionally, resident Adam Leverenz raised concerns about the financial implications of having two city managers simultaneously, estimating that taxpayers could end up spending nearly $1 million in 2026 for both Jurjis and Leung.
Jurjis began his career with Newport Beach in 2011, initially serving as the chief building official before assuming the role of community development director. His qualifications and experience were highlighted by Mayor Joe Stapleton, who noted that Jurjis has amassed 32 years of experience in both public and private sectors, showcasing a broad range of competencies that have led him to this new role.
It is worth noting that the appointment of Jurjis comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed against the city by Human Resources Director Barbara Salvini. The lawsuit allegedly implicates Jurjis in discussions regarding the deletion of emails related to public records, adding another layer of complexity to his new position.
As Jurjis prepares to transition into the role of city manager, the council and residents will be closely monitoring his approach to governance and how the city addresses ongoing concerns about transparency and financial responsibility.
The new city manager’s term will commence on December 27, 2023, the day following Grace Leung’s retirement. This change in leadership marks a significant moment for Newport Beach as it continues to navigate community concerns and fiscal challenges moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Newport Beach Appoints Seimone Jurjis as City Manager
- Wikipedia: Newport Beach, California
- Los Angeles Times: Newport Beach City Manager Retirement Date
- Google Search: Newport Beach City Manager
- Orange County Register: City Taps New Vendor for Newport Beach Library Cafe
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Newport Beach
- Los Angeles Times: Nature Center Concerns Over Housing Development
- Google News: Newport Beach News
- Newport Beach Indy: New Community Development Director
