Cupertino Today has recently reported on personnel changes occurring within city management teams across the South Bay. The trend continued last week after the Santa Clara City Council appointed Jovan D. Grogan as the municipality’s new City Manager on a 4-1 vote. Mr. Grogan currently serves as the San Bruno City Manager and will assume his new duties in Santa Clara on May 1, 2023, relieving interim City Manager Rajeev Batra.
The news comes after the City of Santa Clara fired its former City Manager Deanna Santana last February. The City had drawn public scrutiny for awarding Ms. Santana a base salary over $448,000, making her one of the highest paid government officials in the state. Mr. Grogan’s starting base salary will be significantly lower than Ms. Santana’s at just over $405,000. However, Mr. Grogan’s new salary will still represent a massive increase from his current pay in San Bruno of just under $260,000.
According to a press release issued by the City of Santa Clara, Mr. Grogan has a “proven track record of helping public agencies resolve fiscal challenges and establish strategic partnerships that benefit local communities.” All eyes will be on Mr. Grogan’s fiscal acumen as his new responsibilities will contend with a looming $27 million budget deficit.
The City’s press release noted that Mr. Grogan’s new duties will also include the role of Executive Director of the Santa Clara Stadium Authority and oversight responsibilities of Silicon Valley Power and the Santa Clara Convention Center.