Kimbrough out as city manager due to new law

It appears Steve Kimbrough's 17-year stint as Corning's city manager is over.

A new law concerning the California Public Employees' Retirement System that went into effect Jan. 1 makes it impossible for Kimbrough to work as city manager on a part-time basis beyond a one-year period.

That one-year period ends March 1, according to City Mayor Gary Strack.

The City Council discussed the issue in closed session Thursday evening.

"It recently came to our attention that the new law would in fact impact Steve's part-time employment as city manager," Strack said.

"Mr. Kimbrough as an appointee of the City Council cannot continue to serve as a part-time city manager without jeopardizing his retired annuitant status," a statement released by the City Council reads.

In an effort to balance the 2011-12 fiscal budget, Kimbrough and Corning Police Chief Tony Cardenas became part-time employees of the city, and at the same time began receiving their retirement status funds.

"For some reason, we don't exactly understand, the new law does not impact the police chief's part-time employment," Strack said.

"This is not an issue involving the police chief in that he was appointed to this position by the city manager and not by the City Council. Legal counsel has advised that the same one year limitation does not apply to the police chief's position for that reason," the council statement said.

Strack said it was Kimbrough who brought the new law to the council's attention.

"I had heard about it a week or so ago, so we knew we needed to act quickly," the mayor said.

The City Council is meeting for closed session at 11 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss the situation and decide what action to take.

"We are considering several options, such as hiring a city manager consultant, combining administrative positions, and other in-house possibilities," Strack said. "One thing is certain, with the city's current finances, we will definitely not be able to hire a full-time city manager, and we can't hire a part-time city manager without running into the same problems we are currently dealing with."

The mayor could not say whether Kimbrough would be the consultant if the City Council decided to move in that direction.

Kimbrough could not be reached for comment. City Hall is closed on Fridays.