The Gustine City Council approved a move to rehire Brad Kilger as the City’s interim city manager as the search continues for a candidate to take the permanent position.

Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa had been serving as the interim city manager since the departure of Anna Nicholas in July 2023. Correa’s contract as interim city manager would terminate at the occurrence of any of the following: The appointment by the City Council of a permanent city manager; the employee working her 960th hour in any fiscal year, including hours worked for other CalPERS Agencies during such fiscal year; or termination of the Agreement by either the City or employee.

For Correa, she has reached the hour cap.

“As such, at the consensus of the Council, the interim city manager was directed to seek a successor interim city manager while the City conducts another recruitment for permanent city manager,” staff wrote in the report submitted to the Council.

In searching for an interim, the City looked to Kilger, who had previously served in the interim city manager position after former City Manager Doug Dunford left the position. Kilger served in the interim from May 2022 to December 2022.

Kilger has been a city manager for 18 years for towns such as Ceres, Martinez and Benicia and town manager for Yucca Valley. He has served as the interim city manager for South Lake Tahoe, Los Altos and Calistoga. Additionally, he has more than 20 years of experience as a community development professional. In that capacity he has served as Community and Economic Development Director in the cities of Modesto, Murrieta, and the Town of Apple Valley.  He has also held the positions of Planning Director for the City of San Bernardino and Deputy Planning Director for the County of San Bernardino. Kilger is also experienced in budget preparation, conducting organizational assessments, conducting labor negotiations, and implementing personnel rules and regulations.

Kilger will be paid $75.11 an hour and will not receive any benefits or accrue any vacation or sick days. He is expected to work 40 hours per week with at least two days in the office.

Kilger is a retired member of CalPERS, so he will also have the 960 hour cap.

Kilger’s first day was Jan. 22.