The Ventura City Council is expected to make one of the best deals in its history tonight, signing a six month contract for an interim City Manager to help run Ventura for only a dollar.
The Council is set to approve a deal to hire former Ventura County CEO Johnny Johnston. The retired executive agreed to help out the city temporarily, but is refusing traditional payment or benefits.
The City Council ousted longtime City Manager Rick Cole several weeks ago in closed session. The Council didn’t say exactly why it took the action, but some members called it time for a change in leadership. Cole was City Manager for eight years. He took a job as administrator of Mission San Buenaventura.
The City Council has yet to outline its plans for permanently filling the vacancy.
