Retirement Separation Agreement Reached For Ex-Wildomar City Manager

WILDOMAR, CA — A retirement separation agreement has been reached with former Wildomar City Manager Dan York, the city announced Tuesday.

"The Wildomar City Council and former City Manager Dan York have agreed to York’s retirement commencing on May 9, 2025," according to the brief city statement. "York will receive a severance payment in the amount of $44,026.66, which is equivalent to 2 months’ of his pay.

"York has served as City Manager since 2/1/2022," the statement continued. "The City Council appreciates York’s service to the Wildomar community and wishes him a happy retirement."

York was officially placed on paid administrative leave following unanimous votes by the City Council on April 11. The three separate votes, which took place during a closed-door meeting, resulted in York 1) being placed on leave effective immediately; 2) authorization for the city attorney to draft a mutual separation agreement featuring early retirement for York; 3) City Clerk Janet Morales being appointed interim city manager.

In a late-night follow-up news release announcing York's leave, the city stated that its City Council "will move quickly" to find a permanent city manager.

According to an email from York to City Council that was sent the morning of the closed-door meeting, the city leader expressed gratitude.

"I understand the decision you are about to take this evening," York began in the email, which was made public by Third District Wildomar City Councilmember Joseph Morabito. "I am very appreciative and honored to have served the city faithfully the last dozen years. I recall 4 years ago talking to many that there is a season for everything, including the City Manager assignment. Thank you for allowing me to exercise my strengths of fiscal and operational management during my term as your City Manager."

York continued in the message, "Today I feel accomplished. We achieved financial health and have built a cohesive city team. I feel you and the community are well poised to define and execute the next season. I truly wish full success. Some day in the future, I look forward to reminiscing our past victories and celebrating the completion of your goals."

York concluded, "I am confident that Tom and I will easily navigate the completion of the Separation Agreement next week. In sincere gratitude, Dan."

There was nothing in York's email message that alluded to why City Council was voting on his leave.

In an online post, Morabito said the public "'why' will never be gotten into detail; legally, it can't be. I hate how these things work, but I don't write the rules, and the rules most certainly apply to me and my big mouth as much as anyone else."

Morabito said the April 11 closed-session City Council meeting was two hours long, and York did not attend it.

York began serving as Wildomar City Manager following the planned retirement of City Manager Gary Nordquist. Before his appointment, York served as Wildomar Assistant City Manager.

According to city documents dated January 2025, York's annual salary was $264,100.

City managers take on the role of chief executive officers of city government, but serve at the pleasure of City Councils. More details about the search for York's replacement are expected at upcoming Wildomar City Council meetings.