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Zuniga, Diana From: Jorge Rivera < Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 10:11 PM To: eComment Cc: Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez, Jessie; Hernandez, Johnathan Subject: Public Comment on Agenda Item 25 — Executive Management Raises Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers, I am writing as a concerned resident regarding Item 25 on the agenda. I previously commented when the City Manager received a raise, one that 1, along with many in the community, felt was not merited. Since then, I've seen little evidence of meaningful progress under this leadership. While the Mayor continues to highlight supposed achievements, many residents, myself included, are witnessing troubling trends: a rise in violent crime, including gang-related incidents and stabbings at our high schools. These are not signs of effective city management. Now, with Item 25, we are being asked to approve raises for the City Manager's executive management team. Why?They have no track record. It would seem the smart thing to do would be to give them a year and see how they do before you throw more money at them. How many other people get raises before they prove themselves?The Deputy City Manager, for example, often appears disengaged during council sessions. This is deeply alarming. Watching council meetings, it is apparent how the City Manager often leaves his staff vulnerable to public and Council scrutiny without stepping in to support them. A strong leader stands by their team, weak leaders blame their team. Additionally, the justification for these raises is unclear. We see high-level positions with compensation exceeding $200,000 per year while employees who directly serve our residents have yet to be brought to the bargaining table. Prioritizing raises for the highest-paid employees before addressing the needs of those who actually do the work sends a troubling message about the city's values and priorities. It is also becoming increasingly clear to residents that the City Manager's allegiance appears more to the Mayor and Councilman Becerra than to the city as a whole. While Councilwoman Lopez raises valid concerns and ask pointed questions, others seem uncritically supportive. This imbalance fosters a perception of favoritism and undermines public trust. Leadership should be measured not just by internal loyalty or polished presentations, but by transparency, accountability, and tangible improvements in our community. Unfortunately, many residents feel those qualities are lacking in our current city leadership. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment. I hope you consider the broader implications of these decisions and listen to the concerns of the community you were elected to represent. Sincerely, Jorge Rivera i