National City residents demand accountability from mayor and assistant during council meeting

The National City Special City Council meeting on April 22, 2025, highlighted significant concerns regarding city management and employee relations, particularly focusing on the mayor's office and its operations.

During the meeting, several speakers expressed dissatisfaction with the current leadership dynamics, particularly the relationship between the mayor and his assistant. Concerns were raised about perceived favoritism and the lack of accountability within the city administration. One speaker emphasized the need for a thorough review of employee performance across all departments, suggesting that anonymity in feedback could help address fears among staff about retaliation.

Issues surrounding the city clerk's remote work situation were also discussed, with questions raised about the effectiveness of city operations when key personnel are not physically present. The speaker criticized the mayor for allegedly creating new positions for his assistant, questioning her contributions to the city and suggesting potential conflicts of interest due to her outside consulting work.

Support for the appointment of Scott Hoots as the new city manager was voiced by some attendees, who described him as a steady and experienced public administrator. However, there were calls for Hoots to prioritize addressing waste and misconduct within the city, particularly regarding a public nuisance project at Sweetwater and Orange.

The meeting concluded with a consensus that significant changes are needed to improve the city's governance and restore public trust. The discussions underscored a desire for transparency and accountability in city operations, setting the stage for potential reforms under the new city manager's leadership.