EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Interim City Manager
THIS AGREEMENT is made this day of June, 2026 between the City of Santa Rosa (“City”) and Jason Nutt (“Interim City Manager”).
The City and the Interim City Manager shall be referenced collectively as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party.” This Agreement supersedes any and all prior employment agreements, whether oral or written, between the City and the Interim City Manager.
Employment. The City employs the Interim City Manager, effective June 27, 2026 (“Effective Date”) as a full-time at-will employee to serve at the pleasure of the City Council, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. It is the intent of the Parties that the Interim City Manager’s employment will be for a temporary period of time while the City hires a new City Manager. The Interim City Manager’s employment with the City is for no specified term, however, and is at the mutual consent of both the Interim City Manager and the City. There are no express or implied agreements contrary to the foregoing. Should the City exercise its right to terminate Jason Nutt as Interim City Manager, Jason Nutt shall be offered the opportunity to return to the position of Assistant City Manager, except if he is terminated “for cause” as specified in Section 5 of this Agreement. Should Jason Nutt return to the position of Assistant City Manager, his salary and compensation will be determined based on the salary schedule in effect for the Assistant City Manager position.
Term. This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date, the Interim City Manager’s first date of employment, and shall remain in effect until terminated as set forth in Section 5, below.
Salary. The Interim City Manager’s salary shall be $341,428.00 annually. The Interim City Manager shall not be entitled to receive any merit increases or cost of living increases in salary unless approved by the City Council, in its exclusive discretion, and agreed in writing by the Parties.
Duties. The Interim City Manager shall have the powers and shall perform the duties prescribed by the City Charter for the City Manager and as further provided in the job description for City Manager attached hereto as Attachment “A” and incorporated herein by reference or any revised or amended job description subsequently adopted by the City for the City Manager. The Interim City Manager shall also perform such additional or alternative responsibilities as may be lawfully assigned by the City Council.
Evaluation. Any evaluation of the Interim City Manager shall be discussed by the City Council only in closed session. Any evaluation shall be in writing and a copy of the evaluation shall be given to the Interim City Manager and a copy placed in his personnel file. The City Council shall meet to discuss the contents of any evaluation with Interim City Manager within a reasonable time. Failure to comply with this section shall have no impact on the at-will nature of the Interim City Manager’s employment.
Termination of Contract. Discipline.
Mutual Consent. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual consent of the Interim City Manager and the City Council.
Termination by Interim City Manager. The Interim City Manager may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving the City Council at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of the termination.
Termination by City Council. The City Council may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ written notice. Should the City exercise its right to terminate Interim City Manager, he shall be offered the opportunity to return to the position of Assistant City Manager, except if he is terminated “for cause” as specified in Section 5.d of this Agreement. Should Interim City Manager return to the position of Assistant City Manager, his salary and compensation will be determined based on the salary schedule in effect for the Assistant City Manager position.
Termination for Cause. In addition to the methods of termination set forth in subsections (a), (b) and (c), the City Council may terminate this Agreement immediately for cause. Cause shall be defined as any of the following:
Breach of this Agreement;
Résumé fraud;
Absence without leave;
Conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, a felony, or a crime involving abuse of his office or position, under federal or California law; A finding by the City Council of a violation of the City’s Anti-Harassment Policy; Use or possession of illegal drugs; or
Continued failure to perform job duties.
Prior to terminating this Agreement pursuant to this subsection (d), the City Council shall give the Interim City Manager at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice of the charges/grounds for termination. Within the ten-day period, but not earlier than five days after the notice has been given, the City Council shall meet with the Interim City Manager in closed session and give the Interim City Manager an opportunity to address the City Council regarding the charges. The Interim City Manager may have a representative at the closed session with the City Council.
After hearing the Interim City Manager’s response to the charges, the City Council shall make a decision as to whether to terminate this Agreement and shall inform the City Attorney in writing of its decision. Other than as provided in this subsection, the Interim City Manager expressly waives any other form of City administrative hearing or appeal of the City Council’s decision.
Nothing in this subsection creates a property right in employment. Notwithstanding anything contained in this subsection, the Interim City Manager remains an at-will employee serving at the pleasure of the Council.
Conviction of a Crime for Abuse of Office. In accordance with the provisions of Government Code Section 53243 and/or 53243.2 or successor statutes, the Interim City Manager shall be required to reimburse the City for any severance pay or salary paid while on administrative leave if the Interim City Manager is convicted of a crime involving an abuse of his office or position as defined in Government Code Section 53243.4 or successor statute.
Vacation and Leave.
The Interim City Manager shall be eligible for the following leaves:
Vacation. The Interim City Manager shall accrue vacation leave at his current rate.
Sick Leave. The Interim City Manager shall accrue sick leave at his current rate.
Administrative Leave. The Interim City Manager shall receive eighty (80) hours each year on July 1 in accordance with the City’s Administrative Leave Policy.
Holidays. The Interim City Manager shall receive all holidays granted to City’s Executive Management employees.
Benefits. The City shall provide the Interim City Manager with the same benefits provided under his previously held position as Assistant City Manager pursuant to the applicable Employment Agreement. Except where inconsistent with this Agreement, the Interim City Manager shall receive all other benefits provided to the City’s Executive Management employees.
Expense Reimbursement. The City shall reimburse the Interim City Manager for actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Interim City Manager within the scope of his employment in accordance with the City’s reimbursement schedules and policies. The Interim City Manager’s expense claim shall be supported by appropriate written documentation verifying the contents of the report prior to authorization of reimbursement. Expenses include dues for appropriate city manager professional organizations to the extent approved in advance by the Mayor in writing on behalf of the City.
Automobile Expenses. To reimburse the Interim City Manager for travel expenses while performing City Business, he shall receive Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per month as transportation expenses incurred for travel within and outside the City when using his personal vehicle. The Interim City Manager shall personally be responsible for the purchase of an insurance policy required herein and shall annually provide to the City the required certificate, and it shall be understood that the insurance required herein shall be primary and cannot be canceled without giving the City thirty (30) days’ advance written notice.
Notices. Any notices required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served or shall be sufficiently given and deemed served upon the other party if sent by United States Postal Service, first-class postage prepaid, and addressed as follows:
TO CITY: Mayor
City of Santa Rosa
100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 10
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
TO EMPLOYEE: Jason Nutt
Interim City Manager
100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 10
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Notices shall be deemed given as of the date of personal service or upon the date of deposit in the course of transmission with the United States Postal Service.
General Provisions.
Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the Parties shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The Parties also agree that, in the event of litigation, the venue shall be the state court located in Sonoma County, California.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties. There are no oral understandings, terms, or conditions, and neither party has relied upon any representation, express or implied, not contained in this Agreement.
Amendments. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the City and the Interim City Manager. Any amendments are to be negotiated, put in writing, and adopted by the City Council and be in accordance with all applicable provisions of the City Charter and City Code.
No Assignment. The Interim City Manager may not assign or transfer any rights granted, or obligations assumed under this Agreement.
Modification. This Agreement cannot be changed or supplemented orally. It may be modified or superseded only by a written instrument executed by both of the Parties.
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
CITY
By:
Mark Stapp Jason Nutt
Mayor Interim City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Irma Rodríguez Moisa
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
ATTACHMENT “A” Job Description
1 0
1 Exhibit A