SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : City Names Acting Director of Planning
Thomas Tomlinson, a 16-year employee of the city, has been named its acting director of planning, replacing Thomas G. Merrell.
Tomlinson, 44, formerly the city’s manager of environmental and advanced planning, will take over the new job next week, said George Scarborough, assistant city manager.
Merrell, 49, who held the post for 14 years, announced last July that he was retiring from his $80,000-a-year job. He indicated, however, that he would remain with the city until a replacement was found.
Under the terms of Merrell’s agreement with the city, he will be guaranteed $83,600 for consulting services during the next 12 months.
Scarborough said the city has spent the last seven months recruiting a new planning director but decided to temporarily promote Tomlinson.
“(Tomlinson’s) willingness to serve in this capacity until a permanent appointment can be made is indicative of (his) loyalty and dedication to the city,” City Manager Stephen B. Julian said.
Tomlinson said he has been told that he will be in the running for the planning director position at “some future time.”
“When the city begins a new recruitment process, I’ve been told I’ll be eligible,” Tomlinson said.
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