Pasadena Council Interviews City Manager Candidates

Councilmembers held three days of closed-session interviews to pick a successor to the city's interim leader after the previous choice reversed course.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People

Sunlit civic government building with cream stucco facade, stone steps, and palm trees lining an empty plaza under a clear blue sky. — Pasadena's City Council concluded three days of closed-session interviews Monday to select a permanent city manager, after Riverside's Mike Futrell declined the post. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust your local city government to manage the city well?

The Pasadena City Council concluded three days of closed-session interviews for a new city manager on Monday, following a nationwide search relaunched in September. Interim City Manager Matthew Hawkesworth has led the city since former City Manager Miguel Márquez departed on April 10.

Why it matters

The search follows Riverside City Manager Mike Futrell's decision to remain in Riverside after being selected for the Pasadena post, leaving the city without a permanent leader. The outcome will shape leadership of a municipal operation covering roughly 2,200 employees and a budget of about $1.5 billion.

The position carries an annual salary of $380,000 to $425,000 and oversees about 2,200 employees across 15 departments with a roughly $1.5 billion budget. The Council has not yet publicly named the candidate it intends to select.

The players

Pasadena City Council

The Pasadena City Council is the elected governing body of the city that sets policy and appoints the city manager who oversees daily municipal operations.

Matthew Hawkesworth

Matthew Hawkesworth is serving as interim city manager of Pasadena while the Council completes its search for a permanent successor to Miguel Márquez.

Mike Futrell

Mike Futrell is the Riverside City Manager who was selected for the Pasadena post before deciding to remain in Riverside.

The details

Council members are meeting in closed session at City Hall to identify a successor, with interviews held Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The recruitment is being run by the Byers Group after the previous search was handled by WBCP Inc.; the selected candidate is expected to live in Pasadena, and housing and relocation assistance may be available.

April 10: Former City Manager Miguel Márquez left the city.
April 25: Mike Futrell announced he would remain in Riverside.
September: Council relaunched the nationwide city manager search.
Oct. 16: The latest application period closed.
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026: Council concluded three days of closed-session interviews.

Market Landscape

Municipal executive searches like Pasadena's compete for a limited pool of experienced city managers, with salaries in this range placing the city among other large California cities recruiting from the same candidate pool. The reversal by Riverside's Futrell illustrates how competing local offers can disrupt such hiring timelines.

Residents will see the next city manager shape decisions on the city's roughly $1.5 billion budget and its 15 departments. Any incentive bonus for the new manager is subject to City Council approval.

The takeaway

Leadership continuity in city government depends on a successful search, and the Council's final selection will determine whether Pasadena stabilizes after months of uncertainty.