Aliso Viejo council approves interim city manager agreement for Anne Iford

The Aliso Viejo City Council voted to approve an interim employment agreement for Anne Iford, naming her interim city manager retroactive to Dec. 22, 2025, with a temporary annual base salary of $291,074.

City Attorney (reading the agreement) said that Iford has served as the city's director of financial services and city treasurer since 2022 and had been performing acting city manager duties following the sudden passing of former city manager Mitzi Ortiz. "Miss Iford and this council recently agreed that Miss Iford should serve as interim city manager for a period so that the council may recruit and select a permanent city manager," the attorney said.

Council members asked no substantive questions during the item. A councilmember moved and another seconded the motion; the council approved the employment agreement on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Under the agreement read into the record, Iford's interim appointment is temporary; once a permanent city manager is selected Iford has the right to return to her director position at the corresponding salary and benefits. The council chair noted this arrangement is intended to provide administrative continuity during the manager recruitment process.

Next steps: the city will continue recruitment for a permanent city manager; the interim agreement covers the period while that recruitment proceeds.