Laguna Hills council appoints Joseph Ames interim city manager; council approves interim pay and terms

The Laguna Hills City Council unanimously appointed Assistant City Manager Joseph Ames as interim city manager effective Aug. 8, 2025, and approved related employment agreements spelling out interim compensation and a return-to-role arrangement.

Staff reported that City Manager Jared (transcript: “Jared Hilton brand”) submitted his resignation, effective Aug. 8, and that Ames will serve while the council conducts an external recruitment for a permanent city manager. The council also considered a proposed assistant city manager employment agreement that would set terms for Ames to return to the assistant city manager role once a permanent city manager is hired.

According to staff presentation, the interim appointment includes a 17.8% increase to Ames’s current annual base salary and continued participation in executive benefits. Staff reported total proposed annual compensation for the interim city manager role of $357,131.88 and listed a proposed total annual compensation for the assistant city manager role of $305,270.02. The contracts include continued enrollment in the city’s executive pension tier and an annual automobile allowance. The contracts also provide a six-month severance payment if Ames is terminated without cause after signing a severance and release agreement.

Council discussion focused on the temporary nature of the appointment and statutory requirements for reporting salary and benefits before a final vote. No public comments were received on the item. The council moved and approved the resolutions appointing Ames and authorizing the mayor to execute the interim and assistant city manager agreements; the vote was unanimous.

The council and staff said the interim appointment is intended to maintain continuity of operations while the city completes recruitment for a permanent city manager.