The Garden Grove City Council is set to appoint Scott C. Stiles as its new city manager Thursday evening, ending a year of controversy and months of uncertain transition following the abrupt departure of two top city officials.
Stiles, the assistant city manager of Cincinnati, has been praised by the council for a strong moral compass and his stated dedication to not just public service, but getting to know the city.
Stiles’ salary would be $256,000 plus $122,477 in other benefits.
His predecessor, former City Manager Matthew Fertal, resigned in December amid allegations of impropriety surrounding a contract for former Fire Chief David Barlag.
Days before Fertal announced he would step down, incumbent Mayor Bruce Broadwater called off a recount and conceded the election to Mayor Bao Nguyen, losing by 15 votes and turning over that seat for the first time in 12 years.
Since then, Interim City Manager Allan Roeder, a longtime public administrator and former city manager of Costa Mesa, has overseen the city’s adjustment to the turnover in executives and steered a fledgling mayor and city council through the recruitment process.
Stiles, who has worked for the city of Cincinnati for 26 years, started as a Police Community Officer and has served as Assistant City Manager since 2002, including a 9 month stint as Interim City Manager last year.
Stiles’ resume and background is available in a city staff report. After his appointment Thursday, the city council will hold a study session on its annual budget.
Stiles’ last day as Cincinnati’s Assistant City manager is July 17. If his appointment is approved by Garden Grove officials, he will start his new post on Aug. 3rd.
Contact Thy Vo at tvo@voiceofoc.org and follow her on Twitter @thyanhvo.