From: Wayne Rayburn
Sent: Monday, April 6, 2026 2:10 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting April 6, 2026 Item 3C
April 6, 2026
Good evening Mayor and Councilmembers, Wayne Rayburn, San Rafael Meadows. I’m writing regarding Item 3c—the appointment of an Interim City Manager.
I want to raise a practical and urgent concern that does not appear to be addressed in the staff report or agenda materials.
The proposed Interim City Manager is currently serving as the City’s Finance Director—arguably one of the most critical roles, especially given the City’s current financial challenges. The agenda indicates that he will temporarily step into the City Manager role and then return to his position once a permanent City Manager is hired.
But that raises a fundamental question: Who will perform the duties of Finance Director in the meantime?
This is not a minor operational detail. The City has publicly acknowledged serious financial constraints and, as I understand it, is already operating under a hiring freeze. At a time when careful financial oversight, forecasting, and budget management are essential, removing the person responsible for those functions—even temporarily—creates a significant gap.
Will those responsibilities be reassigned internally? If so, to whom—and with what level of experience and authority?
Or will the City retain outside consultants, potentially adding further cost during a financial downturn? These are not just administrative questions—they go directly to fiscal responsibility and governance.
Before approving this appointment, I urge the Council to clearly outline how the Finance Director’s responsibilities will be covered, and what safeguards are in place to ensure continuity of financial oversight during this transition.
At a time of financial uncertainty, the City cannot afford ambiguity in its financial leadership.
Thank you,
Wayne M. Rayburn
San Rafael Meadows