LA HABRA : La Habra Hires City Manager From Seal Beach

Seal Beach City Manager Jerry L. Bankston has been named the new city manager of La Habra.

The City Council here unanimously voted Thursday to hire Bankston to replace La Habra’s current city manager, Lee Risner, who will leave on July 1 after 24 years in the post.

Bankston, who was chosen from among a number of candidates, will be paid $98,000 a year, including benefits.

Long ago, Risner served as Seal Beach’s city manager until he was fired from that job amid criticism that he had too much control over city operations. The council members who dismissed him were ousted from office in a recall election because of their action, according to Risner.

In November, Risner, 66, made an unexpected announcement that he would retire in July to spend more time with his wife.

At that time, several candidates running for the council accused Risner of wielding too much power over city business, a claim also made by Councilwoman Dorothy Rush.

But Risner said his decision to retire had nothing to do with such accusations, adding that he has no authority to adopt resolutions or approve laws, which the council does.

“Those who say the city manager has too much power, frankly, do not know whereof they speak,” he said at a council meeting six months ago.

Both Risner and the council on Thursday made a point to tell the public that Bankston was chosen by the council without Risner’s influence.

“The decision was a decision of the council,” Rush said. “We made it on our own.”

Bankston, 49, has been Seal Beach’s manager for the past four years.

He said he plans to continue supporting the successful social programs that Risner helped create that help the youth, poor and underprivileged. He also said he’ll carry on Risner’s efforts to promote economic development in the city’s downtown.

Bankston, who lives in Bellflower, said he’ll move to La Habra next year. He has been credited with pulling Seal Beach out of a $1.2 million deficit four years ago and balancing this year’s budget.