Former City of Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole place on paid administrative leave after stepping down
By Sam Catanzaro
Rick Cole, Santa Monica’s former City Manager who stepped down over the weekend facing a massive budget deficit, remains on paid administrative leave.
On Saturday, April 18 Santa Monica City Council accepted Rick Cole’s offer to step down from his role as City Manager and unanimously voted to name City Attorney Lane Dilg as Interim City Manager. Dilg took the helm on April 20.
According to the City, Cole was placed on paid administrative leave following the April 18 vote. On April 28, Council is expected to review the separation agreement that has been negotiated with Cole, a spokesperson for the City said.
“Council accepted Rick Cole’s offer to step aside as city manager and as a result he was placed on paid administrative leave. On April 28, Council is expected to review the separation agreement that has been negotiated with Rick Cole,” the City told the Santa Monica Mirror.
In 2018, Cole made $462,172 in total pay and benefits, according to Transparent California.
Last week, prior to stepping down, Cole along with now-Interim City Manager City Attorney Lane Dilg took a 20 percent pay cut.
