In less than eight months, Stockton’s city government has cycled through one permanent city manager, an interim, two acting managers, a consultant hired without council approval and calls for multiple investigations into city spending and possible illegal activity. All while the search for a permanent leader continues under a tight recruitment timeline.
Currently, Deputy City Manager Will Crew is running the city, for the second time this year.
Public records, official city schedules, and interviews trace the rapid-fire events that have shaped Stockton’s 2025 city manager saga.
New leadership, sudden resignation
On Jan. 7, Stockton’s newly seated City Council took office. Four members were sworn in alongside Mayor Christina Fugazi, who began her first term leading the city.
Two days later, City Manager Harry Black resigned. The move came amid a threat of termination without cause from the council. Under the terms of his agreement, Black received a severance package reported at $400,000. Crew assumed the acting city manager role.
Interim appointment sparks controversy
On Feb. 4, the council voted 4–3 to appoint Steve Colangelo, an event manager and former chief executive of the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, as interim city manager. While Mayor Fugazi led the support for him dissenters citing concerns over Colangelo’s municipal management experience.
Colangelo began work Feb. 11. His interim contract paid more than $20,000 per month.
Consultant hired, funding source questioned
Shortly after taking office, Colangelo hired Lathrop City Manager Stephen Salvatore as a consultant. Records show the arrangement paid Salvatore $11,000 per month and was not approved by the council. The payments came from funds originally budgeted for the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program.
According to city staff, the consultant’s role was to provide “transition support” and advice during the early months of Colangelo’s interim tenure. The DEI fund diversion later became a point of contention among council members.
Contract ends, tensions rise
On June 16, Stocktonia reported the details of the consulting arrangement and the use of DEI funds. Vice Mayor Jason Lee called for a review of the city manager’s budget and spending practices.
On June 23, the city announced the consultant’s contract had been terminated. Officials said the work was no longer necessary and that Salvatore had waived part of his compensation.
The next day, during a public meeting, Lee questioned the removal of funding from DEI initiatives. Mayor Fugazi responded that the programs were being restructured under the Human Resources department. City officials later confirmed the shift followed “extensive conversation” between the mayor and vice mayor.
Recruitment begins, committee dissolved
On July 9, the council held a closed-session kickoff meeting with executive recruitment firm Peckham & McKenney to discuss the search for a permanent city manager and the characteristics of an ideal candidate.
The city’s official recruitment schedule, obtained through a public records request, outlines the process:
- July 9–Aug. 1: Develop candidate profile and marketing brochure.
- Aug. 4–Sept. 5: Recruitment period.
- Sept. 8–19: Preliminary review and interviews.
- Sept. 24: Closed-session council meeting to select finalists.
- Oct. 6–7: Final interviews.
- Background checks and contract negotiations to follow.
On July 29, Mayor Fugazi dissolved the ad hoc committee created to coordinate the recruitment. The move drew criticism from Councilmember Mario Enríquez, who said the committee had been established by council vote and should not be ended unilaterally.
Colangelo’s interim contract ended on Aug. 9, with Crew once again taking over. Although the following city council meeting had an agenda item aimed at considering reappointing Colangelo, it was pulled from the agenda without explanation.
Event payout prompts investigation
On Aug. 4, public records revealed that the city used $50,000 from its Risk Mitigation Fund to support a July event — “Wild ’N Out Live” — at the Adventist Health Arena. The show, which featured Vice Mayor Lee, reportedly faced low ticket sales.
Lee denied involvement in the funding decision, stating the Risk Mitigation Fund is intended for event support. City Manager’s Office staff began an internal investigation into the payment. The next day, Lee and Enríquez jointly requested that the California Attorney General investigate possible budget misuse.
The job profile: high stakes, high salary
While controversy continued at City Hall, the recruitment process moved forward.
The candidate profile and job posting brochure — also obtained via a public records request — describe Stockton as a “multicultural community and urban destination” of more than 320,000 residents. The city manager is expected to be an “experienced municipal leader” with strong political acumen, financial expertise, and the ability to build consensus in a diverse community.
Key job requirements include:
- Seven to 10 years of senior leadership in a comparable government agency.
- Experience working with elected officials.
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred.
- Salary approximately $350,000, plus benefits.
The brochure emphasizes Stockton’s strategic priorities for 2025–26: enhancing public safety, addressing homelessness, and investing in infrastructure.
Applications for the city manager position are due Sept. 5. Peckham & McKenney will screen applicants, conduct preliminary interviews, and present a shortlist to the council by Sept. 24. Finalist interviews are scheduled for Oct. 6–7, with a decision expected soon after.