Compton Council, Angered by Budget Handling, Puts City Manager on Leave

The Compton City Council, in a unanimous vote, unexpectedly placed City Manager James Goins on administrative leave Tuesday after he delivered a budget that called for layoffs of some city employees.

One council member, Patricia Moore, acknowledged that the action “in essence” represented a dismissal.

The five council members emerged from a closed session and announced that Goins had been placed on paid administrative leave for 90 days.

Goins left the council meeting early and declined to comment.

Howard Caldwell, senior assistant city manager, was named interim city manager.

Council members had been pressing for weeks to receive a detailed budget proposal from Goins, who finally delivered a document to them minutes before a public budget hearing. Goins for weeks had been denying reports that the city was facing financial difficulties.

Councilman Maxcy D. Filer led the move against Goins, sources said. He declined comment.

Councilman Robert Adams, who has been angry at Goins since the city manager fired Adams’ son, Laurence, last fall as redevelopment director, said the council’s action was “for just cause.” He declined to elaborate.

Mayor Walter R. Tucker said the late budget contributed to the council’s decision.

Moore described the late budget as “embarrassing” for the council.