FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Acting City Manager Kromer Takes Over

After five years as assistant city manager, Ray Kromer has been promoted to city manager to replace Judy Kelsey, who was fired last month.

Kromer had been serving as acting city manager since November, when Kelsey went on medical leave to undergo open heart surgery. Kelsey was notified of her termination in August, but was given an extension until February. She sought unsuccessfully to stay on the payroll until the end of her accumulated sick leave this month.

No reason has been disclosed for Kelsey’s firing. Her medical condition had nothing to do to with her termination, City Atty. Alan R. Burns said last month.

Kelsey said last week that she will not pursue the matter further.

“All I wanted was my sick leave time, that’s all,” she said.

As an assistant city manager, Kromer earned $78,000 a year; his salary as city manager is now being negotiated. Kelsey was paid $90,100 annually.

Kromer spent 10 years as a city manager in Pennsylvania and New Jersey before moving to Orange County in 1985, when he was hired as assistant city manager for Fountain Valley.

“Even though I had worked for years as a city manager back east, everyone wanted California experience,” he said.

He said he had planned to continue working for the city regardless of whether he was promoted. “In all my experience in the East Coast, this is the best job I’ve ever had,” Kromer said. “The community is great, and it’s a very progressive City Council.”

Kromer will oversee an annual budget of $50 million and a city staff of 300.