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Pacifica council appoints Sean Charpentier as city manager, approves $330,000 base salary
Summary
After a recruitment process that produced three finalists, the council voted 4-1 to appoint Sean Charpentier as Pacifica's next city manager; the contract includes a $330,000 base salary, deferred compensation, and a 12-month severance clause.
Pacifica's City Council voted 4-1 to appoint Sean Charpentier as the city manager, approving an employment agreement that sets an annual base salary of $330,000 and includes deferred compensation and a 12-month severance provision. Councilmember Espinosa cast the lone dissenting vote.
The council's staff report outlined recruitment and compensation context: the city received 40 applicants, eight with prior city manager experience, and the ad hoc committee led negotiations with Charpentier. "Under the terms of this agreement, the city manager would be retitled to receive the following compensation and benefits: an annual base salary of $330,000," the staff report said.
Charpentier, who has two decades of public-sector experience in San Mateo County and regional agencies, introduced himself and said he was drawn to Pacifica by the community's coastal setting and sustainability priorities. "My passion is to build and maintain communities that are sustainable, prosperous, and equitable," he told the council.
Contract terms and budget impact: The agreement includes a $10,000 deferred compensation item and a negotiated 5% minimum base-salary differential above department heads; vacation and leave terms are similar to the previous city manager. Staff said salary savings from an unfilled assistant city manager position largely offset this year's additional cost and estimated the net fiscal impact to next year at roughly $20,000.
Council debate and vote: Council members praised Charpentier's regional experience with grant funding, stormwater and climate planning, and interjurisdictional collaboration; one member expressed reservations about community fit and withheld support. After deliberation, Vice Mayor Wright moved to appoint Charpentier and Councilmember Beckmeier seconded; the motion passed 4-1.
What comes next: The city manager contract will be executed and staff will work with Charpentier during onboarding. Council members said they expect an early focus on budget clarity, public engagement and advancing the city's strategic priorities.
