DATE: June 1, 2026
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
President and Members of the Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) Board of Directors
FROM: City Attorney/District Legal Counsel
SUBJECT: AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER STEFAN CHATWIN’S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council/EMID Board of Directors adopt resolutions approving the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of City/District Manager Stefan Chatwin (“Amended and Restated Agreement”) which is for a term of five years and makes certain adjustments to his existing employment agreement.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
Stefan Chatwin was appointed as City/District Manager June 21, 2022, and continues to serve in that position. The current employment agreement has a term that expires on June 21, 2027.
In anticipation of the term expiring, the City Council/EMID Board and City/District Manager have negotiated the Amended and Restated Agreement that extends the term until June 2, 2031. The other amended material terms include a salary increase to a total annual salary of $365,448 for 2026, with a further increase to a total annual salary of $383,724 effective July 1, 2027, for the remainder of the agreement.
Additionally, the Amended and Restated Agreement provides for an increase in severance payment from the previous negotiated amount of six months to twelve months. Finally, the Amended and Restated Agreement increased the auto allowance from $500 to $600 per month.
Adjustments to the City/District Manager’s compensation require City Council/EMID Board action by resolution. Attached for the City Council/EMID Board’s consideration is a resolution approving the Amended and Restated Agreement.
If adopted, then both the Mayor/President and City/District Manager would execute the Amended and Restated Agreement, as shown in Attachment 3.
California Environmental Quality Act
CEQA General Rule Exemption
FISCAL IMPACT
The incremental cost of this Amended and Restated Agreement is approximately $32,000 per year and will be incorporated into the proposed FY 2026-27 and FY 2027- 28 budget currently scheduled for Council review on June 15, 2026.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Staff Empowerment and Operational Excellence
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – City Resolution
Attachment 2 – EMID Resolution
Attachment 3 – Amended and Restated Agreement