Long Beach City Council Welcomes New Interim City Manager

Last night, the Long Beach City Council voted unanimously to appoint Donna Gayden as the city's Interim City Manager. Gayden is charged with turning around the city's finances after years of structural deficits, mismanagement and scandal. She will assume the post immediately.

Gayden brings to Long Beach more than 25 years of financial and operational management, the last 10 of which have been spent as a "turn-around specialist" helping numerous municipalities overcome significant fiscal challenges.

Most recently, she served in the capacity of Interim Finance Director for the cities of Country Club Hills and Bradley, both in Illinois. Prior to that, she served as the city administrator for the City of Fairburn, Georgia; the village manager for the Village of Hazel Crest, Illinois; the village administrator for the Village of Glenwood, Illinois;

"Donna brings with her the fiscal and budgetary skills Long Beach desperately needs at this stage," said Long Beach City Council President John Bendo. "We need a fresh set of eyes not bound by past practices or beholden to any interests except those of Long Beach residents if we're going to get out of this mess."

"This is what I do," Gayden said after her appointment. "While it's certainly a daunting task, I look forward to the challenge of helping to restore a sense of trust in government among residents and pride of work among the city's employees."

Gayden will be paid $178,000 under a six-month contract she signed with the city. It allows for a mutual agreement of at least one additional three-month extension. Over at least the past three years, Long Beach City Managers have earned annual salaries of $174,000, but have accepted city-paid health benefits, which Gayden will not, resulting in an overall savings to taxpayers, the city council said.

"By inking a short contract that is extended in increments, we're protecting our taxpayers from the mistakes of past administrations," said Long Beach City Council Vice President Karen McInnis. "We anticipate her being here well beyond six months, but when her job is done, it will be done, and our residents won't have the burden of paying out an exorbitant long-term contract."

Gayden was introduced to the City Council through a national search firm with which the City Council had consulted. After a series of interviews and an extensive background check, the Council extended her an offer.

"Anyone who has been in the line of work Ms. Gayden has been in for as long as she has is obviously going to have some questions raised about him or her," said Bendo. "But every question asked was thoroughly answered and we are very excited to have Ms. Gayden on board to help turn this City around.