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Sunnyside council extends paid administrative leave for city manager, keeps interim manager agreement in place
Summary
The Sunnyside City Council voted to extend paid administrative leave for City Manager Mike Gonzales while an investigation continues and authorized an extension of Interim City Manager Jim Bridges’ agreement through Aug. 31 or until the investigation concludes.
The Sunnyside City Council voted July 28 to extend the paid administrative leave of City Manager Mike Gonzales and to authorize the mayor to extend the interim city manager agreement with Jim Bridges through Aug. 31, 2025, or until completion of a pending investigation.
The council approved a resolution extending Gonzales’ paid leave after being told the investigation is expected to conclude in August. The resolution sets the leave extension to take effect Aug. 1 and expire Aug. 31; staff said the investigation’s completion date may change. “The investigation is continuing, with expected completion sometime in August,” City Manager (on leave) Mike Gonzales said during the meeting record.
The council also authorized an amendment to Agreement A-2025-70 with Interim City Manager Jim Bridges to extend his term through Aug. 31 or until the investigation is complete so the city will have an interim manager in place while the matter remains unresolved. Council members asked that Bridges be given the authority necessary to carry out day-to-day city business during the extension.
The vote on the paid-leave extension passed 5–2. The roll call recorded votes as: Councilor Ripley—yes; Councilor Fausto—no; Councilor Vasquez—yes; Councilor Hart—no; Councilor Hancock—yes; Deputy Mayor—yes; Mayor—yes. The vote to extend the interim manager agreement was also recorded with a majority in favor.
Several council members expressed frustration at the length and cost of the investigation. “This is costing us money,” Councilor Hart said, noting legal fees and the cost of two managers on payroll. Mayor and other council members said they share that frustration but are awaiting the investigation’s completion.
No additional formal personnel action was reported at the meeting; city legal counsel explained that any final hiring, salary-setting, or disciplinary action must be taken in an open meeting per state law.
The council did not provide further details about the investigation’s subject or findings at the meeting.
