Covina City Manager to Leave for Consulting Job

After six years of overseeing a city known for its turbulent politics, City Manager Fran Delach has resigned to take a higher paying job with a Diamond Bar consulting firm.

Delach, who became interim city manager in September 1993, said he will join HDL & Associates of Diamond Bar, a firm that specializes in government tax issues.

“It’s really a great opportunity in the private sector that I simply couldn’t refuse,” Delach said. “It was an offer Covina could never match and allows me more time with my wife and children”

Delach became city manager after a voter rebellion in which the entire City Council was recalled for passing a 6% utility tax. But recall leaders who rode the anti-tax wave to seats on the council eventually voted for an even bigger utility tax. They had thought the government budget was flush, they admitted, but learned otherwise. Another recall drive failed, and voters subsequently approved the tax.

Delach said he will remain on the job until Dec. 1, when his contract expires.

“I’m almost grieving. I’ve spent almost half my life in this organization,” said Delach, 44, a 21-year city employee. “I’ve known people here longer than my wife and children.”