Encinitas Council Selects New City Manager

The Encinitas City council unanimously chose Gus Vina of Sacramento as its new city manager Monday afternoon. His appointment is pending a public City Council meeting to openly discuss the employment agreement.

Vina is the former interim manager of Sacramento and is anticipated to start in early July. His salary has yet to be negotiated, but the council offered Vina an undisclosed range during the closed session.

Sacramento-based executive search and consulting firm was hired in January to find a replacement. More than 80 candidates applied for the job, and Vina was ultimately selected from six finalists.

In the last 12 years, Vina has worked as Sacramento’s interim city manager, assistant city manager, finance director and budget manager. Before working in Sacramento, Vina was employed by the City of Stockton for 10 years and the California government for nine years.

Council members met briefly and all agreed Vina is the right person for the job.

“We are pleased and very fortunate to have Gus join the City of Encinitas,” Mayor James Bond said.

Councilwoman Teresa Barth also spoke highly of Vina, saying his personality fit well with the community.

“I was very impressed with his experience and his ability to openly communicate,” Barth said. “I am looking forward to open dialogue with him ... He knows we cannot go forward with business as usual.”

Vina will be replacing exiting manager Phil Cotton, who has held the position for the last four years. When notified of his appointment, Vina told the council he was ecstatic to work with the city and community.