Stockton council appoints William Crew acting city manager, directs interim contract placement

The Stockton City Council voted unanimously July 28 to appoint William Crew, the city's deputy city manager, as acting city manager effective Aug. 9, 2025, the city attorney reported in open session. The council also directed staff to place a new interim city manager contract on the next available regular meeting agenda.

The action was announced after a closed session that the mayor opened for limited personnel matters. City Attorney reported the vote as 7–0 and said the council had authorized the appointment and directed staff to prepare contract paperwork for an interim manager.

The closed‑session public comment period included criticism of the city manager appointment process from several residents. Matthew Lester, procurement coordinator for the Western Farm Workers Association, told the council he felt recent appointments had been based on personal networks rather than merit. Julie Dunning, a Measure A advisory committee member, said she was concerned about perceived interference by the interim city manager's office in committee affairs. Those remarks were raised during the public comment period that preceded the closed session.

The interim appointment will take effect Aug. 9; the council's direction to staff ensures a contract for the interim role will return to the council for next-step approval. No vote tally beyond the city attorney's 7–0 disclosure was recorded in open session.