A former Milpitas city manager has filed a claim for damages against the city, three months after council members declined to renew his contract.
Steve McHarris was hired in 2020 after the resignation of Tom Williams, who had been accused of misconduct.
As California City News noted in March, McHarris’ contract prohibited the City Council from terminating him within six months after a City Council election. The last election was held four months before the leaders declined McHarris’ contract renewal.
McHarris believes he was effectively terminated — a claim Milpitas disputes. He has also accused Mayor Carmen Montano, Vice Mayor Evelyn Chua and City Attorney Michael Mutalipassi of creating a hostile work environment and inflicting emotional distress.
Milpitas has had a constant revolving door of city managers. McHarris was the fifth administrator to serve Milpitas in six years, and there have already been two more acting managers since his departure.
Read more about McHarris' claim against the city at San José Spotlight.