Antioch, CA — A recent investigation by the Contra Costa County Grand Jury into Antioch’s City Council activities under Mayor Lamar Thorpe has unveiled significant operational and managerial issues. The findings revealed probable violations of the Brown Act, which mandates transparency in public agency meetings, and inappropriate interventions in hiring and other administrative functions typically reserved for the City Manager.
The turmoil includes a notably high turnover among city managers and an alarming 21.6% vacancy rate in city employment as of February 2024, starkly contrasting the national average of 5.3% for local and state government roles. This pattern of instability has led to several departments operating under interim or part-time leadership, paving the way for operational inefficiencies across critical city functions.
The report identifies the root cause of these challenges as frequent overreach by Mayor Thorpe and some council members into areas that should fall within the City Manager’s purview. Such actions have not only contributed to the rapid turnover of city managers but also hindered the sustained leadership needed to tackle the city’s administrative challenges.
Over the past decade, Antioch has seen six different city managers, either permanent or acting, with none serving more than two years on average – a tenure significantly shorter than the California average of just over 4.5 years. This constant change at the helm has exacerbated the issues with hiring and retaining skilled workers essential for city operation.
Further compounding the situation, significant Brown Act concerns have surfaced. Past incidents, such as private discussions regarding key personnel appointments and city redistricting, have been highlighted as probable violations. Such findings spotlight a recurring disregard for legal norms meant to ensure transparent and fair governance.
The jury’s findings also underscored the consequential impact of not having a permanent City Manager. Key department positions remain unfilled, stalling essential city functions and contributing to a bloated vacancy rate that outpaces both state and national averages substantially. Without a stable managerial presence, recruitment, and retention of competent personnel has floundered.
This leadership void has notably affected the Public Works and Community Development departments, both lacking permanent directors for over a year. Despite proactive measures like significant recruitment bonuses in the Police Department, the overarching issue of high turnover and insufficient staffing persists.
The Grand Jury’s recommendations stressed the urgency of appointing a qualified City Manager to stabilize Antioch’s managerial landscape. It also urged city officials to adhere strictly to prescribed governance boundaries, respecting the autonomous operational authority of the City Manager to foster a more consistent and compliant administrative environment.
As the city grapples with these administrative challenges, the insights from the Grand Jury report serve as a crucial wake-up call. The path forward for Antioch hinges on robust and unwavering leadership, adherence to governance protocols, and a committed, transparent effort to rebuild trust and efficiency within the city’s operational framework. Only then can Antioch hope to attract and retain the talent necessary to move the city forward and meet the community’s needs effectively.