After nearly a year without a permanent city manager, the Stockton City Council is set to vote on whether to appoint Johnny R. Ford, a former deputy city manager with longtime experience in Stockton city government, as the city’s next chief executive.
Ford was fired by then-City Manager Gordon Palmer in 2009. A week later more than 200 people filled Stockton City Hall to protest the firing, alleging it was based on race. Ford was later cleared of wrongdoing and awarded a $250,000 settlement plus attorneys’ fees and other benefits.
If confirmed on Tuesday, Ford would return to oversee city departments that report directly to the council, set and implement goals, policies and procedures, and manage the preparation and administration of the city’s annual budget. He would also lead more than 1,700 city employees.
His proposed three-year employment agreement, which takes effect Wednesday, includes a $325,000 annual base salary, a $500 monthly car stipend, $400 per month for technology needs, and coverage for professional development, along with additional benefits.
Ford’s background in city government
Ford was hired as Stockton’s parks and recreation director in 2002, bringing more than a decade of experience in parks and recreation management to the city.
Previously, he was director of parks and recreation in Shreveport, Louisiana, from 1989 to 1993, superintendent of parks operations in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1994 to 1998, and director of parks and recreation in Durham, North Carolina, from 1998 to 2002, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Ford, who holds a master’s degree in athletic administration from Grambling State University in Louisiana, became deputy city manager for Stockton in 2003. He served in the position until 2009, when Palmer told the council during a closed session that Ford used his influence at city hall to get hundreds of free tickets to events at Stockton Arena and other city-owned facilities he oversaw.
The council formed an ad hoc committee to investigate Palmer’s allegations against Ford. The committee’s report found that Ford did not use his influence to get free tickets in violation of city policy. The three-person panel also noted procedural flaws in the investigation that led to his firing.
While the committee reviewed the case, former City Attorney Ren Nosky said Palmer acted appropriately, claiming Ford had already admitted to the behavior in question. Ford denied making such a confession.
The committee noted that Palmer appeared to decide Ford was guilty before liability claims investigator Steve Hunt completed witness interviews. Hunt’s initial report did not indicate that Ford pressured arena manager Charles Kemp, though later versions included a statement Kemp signed indicating pressure had occurred.
Former Councilmember Elbert Holman, a retired investigator who chaired the committee, said the omission of any initial statement from Kemp about being pressured was significant.
“How significant would it have been if Mr. Kemp said, ‘Johnny Ford is pressuring me?'” Holman said. “Why wouldn’t that be in your first report?”
Palmer retired following the investigation and criticism from councilmembers over his handling of Stockton’s financial crisis.
The council and Ford agreed to mediation to resolve the dispute over his firing in November 2009, and community activists said Ford should have been reinstated.
Ford’s next job in city government came in December 2013 when he was hired as Compton’s assistant city manager and eventually became interim city manager.
A month earlier, an email obtained by The Record showed that then-Mayor Anthony Silva wanted Ford to be hired to lead the embattled Boys & Girls Clubs of Stockton rather than then-interim CEO Richard Jones.
Ford’s employment in Compton ended two years later.
11 months of turmoil at city hall
Stockton has been without a permanent city manager since January, when former City Manager Harry Black resigned in lieu of termination without cause.
In February, the council appointed Steve Colangelo interim city manager, despite concerns from some councilmembers and residents about his lack of local government experience and relevant education. His tenure quickly drew scrutiny as questions emerged about his administrative decisions and behavior.
Last week, the council forwarded misconduct allegations involving Colangelo to the California attorney general, San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office and San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury. The council also created an ad hoc committee to investigate Vice Mayor Jason Lee over claims of hostility toward city staff and other councilmembers.
Lee has asked the California State Controller’s Office to conduct a comprehensive audit of the city’s finances.
Councilmembers are scheduled to meet in closed session at 3 p.m. and reconvene in public session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The public can watch the meeting in the council chambers at Stockton City Hall, 425 N. El Dorado St., or on the city’s website.
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Johnny Ford, former Stockton deputy city manager cleared in 2009 firing, could return as city manager
Reporting by Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record / The Record
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