Rialto appoints Tonya Williams as acting city manager after closed session

After a closed session on litigation and personnel matters, the City Council of Rialto announced the appointment of Assistant City Manager Tonya Williams as acting city manager, effective Wednesday, Jan. 29.

City Attorney reported that during closed session council considered three categories of items: two matters of existing litigation, 14 anticipated litigation items (largely workers' compensation claims) and one item involving a public employee appointment. The city attorney said the council "has appointed, current assistant city manager, Tonya Williams, as the acting city manager, commencing tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 29." No public roll-call vote was recorded in open session; the appointment was announced as the reportable action following closed-session deliberations.

City staff described that the council provided direction to legal counsel on the litigation items and that there were no other reportable actions besides the appointment announcement. The council's public minutes and the city clerk's record will reflect the closed-session report and the announced appointment.

The appointment takes effect immediately and places Williams in the acting role until the council announces any further personnel action. City staff indicated follow-up administrative items will be processed by the city manager’s office and human resources.