Mission Viejo : Sorsabal’s Assistant Is New City Manager

Instead of going on a nationwide search to replace the city manager, the city has decided to go with a known quantity--Assistant City Manager Dan Joseph.

Joseph has worked in the city for five years.

He replaces Fred Sorsabal, the community’s second city manager, who is retiring to a ranch in Northern California.

Exactly when Sorsabal will step down rests on settling the remainder of his contract, which runs through July.

Council members will review a settlement offer by Sorsabal in a closed meeting on Monday.

With the county bond crisis affecting the city--holding up projects such as a proposed library building--council members wanted somebody familiar with the community.

“Circumstances and timing are certainly key,” Councilwoman Susan Withrow said. “We have a comfort level with Dan seeing us through this time.”

Joseph, who has been a municipal employee for 22 years, has worked in Garden Grove, Alhambra, Pico Rivera, Lawndale and Seal Beach.

As assistant city manager, Joseph has been responsible for major projects such as the city animal shelter and the proposed library building. Although he has been offered the job, a contract has yet to be finalized.

Joseph, who is married to City Clerk Ivy Joseph, put the couple’s La Palma house on the market last Saturday and hopes to move here by May.

“This is a natural career progression and Mission Viejo is a great place to work,” Joseph said. “I think I would bring a certain amount of Mission Viejo experience to the job.”