The Canyon Lake City Council this week named Arron Brown interim city manager. Brown was previously the assistant city manager for the city of Rialto.
“We want to thank you for stepping up and coming aboard,” Canyon Lake Mayor Dale Welty said at the Wednesday meeting. “I know you’re going to start tomorrow, so we’re just so excited.”
Brown previously served as the assistant city manager for the city of Rialto, where he held the role of acting city manager from December 2022 to July 2023. Prior to this, he was deputy city manager for the city of Palm Springs.
“Thank you very much for this opportunity,” Brown said. “I really think it’s right place, right time. I think the city staff and I are going to be a great team to be able to do the things that the great residents of Canyon Lake are looking forward to, so thank you very much for this opportunity, and I look forward to the challenges.”
The move came less than two weeks after it was announced that the council had mutually agreed to “part ways” with former City Manager Nicole Dailey after just over one year of service.
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“We are sincerely thankful for Ms. Dailey’s dedication, hard work and service to both the residents and staff of Canyon Lake,” Welty said in a statement announcing the move. “Nicole has exemplified a commendable level of integrity and professionalism. As a dedicated public servant, she has a promising future, and we extend our best wishes for her continued success.”
According to a report by Canyon Lake Insider, Dailey was placed on leave early last month, but the city declined to comment on what led to that decision, though the release noted that the “evolving priorities” of the council made it clear that a “new direction was necessary.”
“The city council’s innovative and forward-thinking approach is admirable, and while I have cherished my role within this vibrant community, it has become apparent that a new alignment is needed to best serve the evolving goals of Canyon Lake,” Dailey said in the statement. “I am profoundly grateful for the warm welcome, the opportunity provided by the council and the unwavering support from our exceptional city staff.”
Immediately following Dailey’s departure, Administrative Services Director Mike Borja was appointed acting city manager ahead of council’s vote to appoint Brown.
For his service as interim city manager, Brown will receive an annual salary of $200,000, with a potential for a 9.9% performance and longevity bonus following an annual review; a $600 per month car allowance; a $150 per month cell phone and internet allowance; 40 hours of vacation leave; and 120 hours of administrative leave, all of which City Attorney Steven Graham said was unchanged from the previous city manager agreement.
The contract, which runs from April 11, 2024 through March 31, 2025, was unanimously approved by the council.
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