Pasadena City Council to Interview Manager Candidates

The City Council will hold a closed session this weekend to select a new leader for the city's administrative departments.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in City Hall

Pasadena City Council to Interview Manager Candidates

Live Poll

Do you trust your local government to effectively manage the hiring of key city officials?

Pasadena's City Council will conduct a series of interviews with city manager candidates during a closed session on October 31. This meeting marks the latest step in the city's second attempt this year to fill the executive role.

Why it matters

The chosen official will lead a municipal government serving 140,000 residents while managing a $1.5 billion budget. This leader is expected to oversee operations through the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and transition the city toward 100% carbon-free energy.

The incoming manager will oversee 2,200 employees and 15 departments under a general fund budget of $365 million. The salary range for the position is set between $380,000 and $425,000 annually.

The players

City Council

This local governing body is responsible for municipal legislative decisions and the hiring of high-level city administrative staff.

The Byers Group

This is an executive search firm engaged by the city to manage the current recruitment process for a new city manager.

Mike Futrell

He is a candidate who previously accepted the position before reversing his decision in April.

Pasadena Water and Power

This municipal utility provider is tasked with executing the city plan to reach 100% carbon-free energy by 2030.

The details

The city recently relaunched its nationwide search for a manager with the assistance of The Byers Group executive firm following a failed hiring attempt earlier this year. The search process focuses on finding a replacement for the former city manager whose tenure ended on April 10.

January 5, 2026: The initial search process opened.
January 29, 2026: The first search period closed.
April 10, 2026: The tenure of the previous city manager concluded.
April 25, 2026: Mike Futrell withdrew his candidacy for the role.
October 31, 2026: The City Council holds a closed session for candidate interviews.

Political Context

Opponents or critics of current hiring strategies may point to the previous failed search and the withdrawal of Mike Futrell as evidence of instability in city leadership. This discourse highlights ongoing structural concerns about recruitment costs and the city's ability to retain executive talent.

The appointment of a new manager determines the administrative priorities for city services, infrastructure spending, and public utility management. Residents will see the outcomes of this hiring process reflected in how the city manages its $1.5 billion total budget over the coming years.

The takeaway

Selecting a new city manager is a critical administrative step that will define the city's direction for the remainder of the decade. Residents should monitor future public announcements to see how the new leadership influences local infrastructure and budget management.