Stockton officials say that Lathrop City Manager Stephen J. Salvatore is no longer working as a consultant for the city.
The announcement comes a month after an investigation by Stocktonia found that interim City Manager Steve Colangelo, a longtime event manager with no city management experience, had hired Salvatore as a consultant to help him do his job just days after being appointed as Stockton’s top executive. The fee for Salvatore’s guidance was $11,000 per month.
The city sent out a news release Thursday evening announcing the termination of Salvatore’s contract, the purpose of which was described as “transition support services,” and “to clarify facts regarding the consulting arrangement.”
Colangelo, a career events manager, was hired as Stockton’s interim chief executive in February despite concerns that he had no experience in civic operations. Councilmembers who voted to appoint Colangelo assured the public their new pick was qualified to take on the role.
Salvatore’s agreement with the city “was designed to provide strategic guidance during Colangelo’s transition into the interim city manager role,” the city said. “After demonstrating competency in city operations, the formal consulting relationship was concluded with Salvatore voluntarily waiving a portion of his compensation.”
However, it’s unclear why the council would appoint someone to such an important city position who would need to demonstrate competency in a role after being hired rather than before offering them the job. …
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Cassie Dickman 