Santa Ana City Manager Paul Walters has resigned effective Friday, city officials confirmed Thursday afternoon.

Terms of the agreement are still being finalized, according to a city announcement, but Walters will not be returning to his former position as police chief. The city manager’s contract contains a clause allowing him that right should the council fire him.

Instead, Walters will retain his police commissioner title, essentially a liaison position. The specific responsibilities he will carry in that role will be determined by the police chief and new city manager, the announcement says.

The announcement ends more than a week of uncertainty over a City Council decision to fire Walters.

City Hall observers believe Walters is being pushed out as part of a campaign by the council majority to undercut longtime Mayor Miguel Pulido’s influence over the city bureaucracy.

The council majority views Walters as too close to the 10-term mayor. Pulido was the lone vote against the decision to begin the termination process.

But questions remain, such as whether Walters will receive a severance package. City spokesman Jose Gonzalez said he had no additional information.

Since you've made it this far,

You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford. Our newsroom centers on Orange County’s civic and cultural life, not ad-driven clickbait. Our reporters hold powerful interests accountable to protect your quality of life. But it’s not free to produce. It depends on donors like you.

Join the conversation: In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join our Facebook discussion. Message us via our website or staff page. Send us a secure tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.