Anaheim Weighs Jonathan Borrego as City Manager
The Anaheim City Council is expected to consider an employment agreement with Oceanside's city manager, who would fill a post left vacant for nine months.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
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The Anaheim City Council will consider a proposed employment agreement with Jonathan Borrego, Oceanside's current city manager, during its November 10 meeting. Borrego was selected as a finalist after a national recruitment process that drew more than 100 applicants.
Why it matters
Anaheim has operated without a permanent city manager for nine months following the retirement of Jim Vanderpool, who left amid a state ethics investigation. The appointment would give residents of the city of 350,000 a permanent leader overseeing a $2.6 billion annual budget.
The proposed $409,000 annual salary is about $23,000 above the $386,000 paid to Jim Vanderpool, and the role would oversee roughly 2,000 city staffers. Whether the council approves the contract, and the December 28 start date, has not yet been decided.
The players
Jonathan Borrego
Borrego is Oceanside's city manager and the first Latino to hold that post, having begun his public career as a planner in Anaheim in 1988.
Jim Vanderpool
Vanderpool served as Anaheim city manager for six years before retiring amid a Fair Political Practices Commission inquiry and now serves as Palm Springs' interim city manager.
The details
Borrego, who has led Oceanside since 2022 and became its first Latino city manager, began his public service career in 1988 as an entry-level planner at Anaheim City Hall. Vanderpool announced his retirement in February after attending an Anaheim Chamber of Commerce-funded trip to Lake Havasu that he did not disclose as a gift on his 2020 statement of economic interests; he is cooperating with a Fair Political Practices Commission investigation.
Timeline
June through September: National recruitment and evaluation process conducted
February: Jim Vanderpool announced his retirement
October: Vanderpool appointed interim city manager of Palm Springs
November 10: Anaheim City Council considers Borrego's employment agreement
December 28: Earliest date Borrego could begin as city manager
Market Landscape
Anaheim's search follows a pattern of California cities turning to out-of-jurisdiction candidates after leadership departures tied to ethics reviews. The city's selection of a sitting city manager from Oceanside reflects the competition among Southern California municipalities for experienced administrators.
If approved, Borrego would become the permanent executive responsible for day-to-day city operations, including services used by Anaheim's 350,000 residents. Residents would see whether the new leadership brings continuity after nine months without a permanent city manager.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions in local government often bring a test of continuity and accountability, and Anaheim's choice will show how the city balances experience against recent ethics concerns.
What happens next
The Anaheim City Council is scheduled to consider Borrego's employment agreement on November 10, and he could start December 28 if approved.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage to see how municipal leadership changes shape local government.
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