Fountain Valley council appoints interim police and fire chiefs, approves retired‑annuitant arrangements

The Fountain Valley City Council unanimously approved several personnel actions at its Jan. 21 meeting to maintain continuity in public safety leadership.

The council adopted a resolution appointing Rodney Cox as interim police chief and approved a retired‑annuitant contract effective Jan. 6, 2025, for up to one year or until a permanent chief is hired. Cox, a retired chief from the City of Cypress with a long career in law enforcement and executive training experience, spoke briefly and thanked the council and staff.

Council also adopted a resolution appointing William McQuade as interim fire chief under a retired‑annuitant agreement effective Jan. 1, 2025, with a term not to exceed one year or the successful hiring of a permanent chief. The council approved the requested 180‑day wait‑period exemption required for retired annuitant appointments. Council later approved a related engagement of Michelle Roditis as retired annuitant extra help to mentor the deputy fire marshal during transition, again with a 180‑day wait‑period exemption; Roditis will serve up to 960 hours and be compensated at an established step of the fire marshal salary range.

All three personnel measures passed on unanimous votes (5–0). City staff said the fiscal impact is covered within the current 2024–25 budget and that the interim appointments were requested to prevent service disruptions while open recruitments proceed.

Why it matters: Interim leaders preserve continuity in emergency services and assist succession planning; the retired‑annuitant arrangements are time‑limited and intended to bridge the gap while permanent selections are made.