WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – The Williams City Council approved a salary increase and extended employment contract for City Manager Yvonne Kimball on Oct. 21, despite objections from city employees and concerns about the city’s financial condition.
The council voted 4-1 to increase Kimball’s annual salary from $175,000 to $178,500, double her monthly vehicle allowance to $500 and extend her contract through Feb. 18, 2031.
Councilmember John Troughton Jr. cast the lone dissenting vote, questioning the wisdom of extending financial commitments while the city’s long-term revenue remains uncertain. He acknowledged improvements under Kimball’s leadership but expressed concern about infrastructure needs and the financial obligations future councils could inherit.
That concern carries particular significance as Williams prepares for a change in leadership. With only three candidates for three City Council seats on Nov. 3, Janet Escalante-Ramos, Guillermo Hernandez Jr. and Brayan Antonio Velazquez-Velazquez are poised to replace Mayor Kate Dunlap and former mayors Maria Belmontes-Leyva and Don Parsons, who did not seek reelection but voted to approve the contract amendments.
City employees also questioned the decision to commit additional public funds while Williams continues to recover from financial difficulties that have already required sacrifices from its workforce.
“We believe this request raises serious concerns about fairness, the use of taxpayer money and how city employees are being treated,” said Heath Bruner, a Public Works Department employee speaking on behalf of the city’s Miscellaneous Employees Association.
Bruner questioned the additional compensation just eight months after Kimball was hired, particularly after employees had experienced furloughs and other financial sacrifices.
He said employees had been told the city could not afford to restore their 3% cost-of-living increase.
“Our concern is not just about the money,” Bruner said. “It is about the respect, fairness and trust.”
Kimball’s new contract followed a positive six-month performance evaluation in August, after which councilmembers directed City Attorney Andreas Booher to negotiate amendments to her agreement.
Mayor Kate Dunlap defended the pay raise, describing it as reasonable and consistent with compensation standards for city managers.
Dunlap compared Kimball’s proposed $178,500 salary with the $228,000 salary she cited for Colusa’s city manager. Such comparisons can contribute to rising salaries as cities use compensation in neighboring communities to justify increases of their own. Troughton questioned that approach, arguing that Williams should base its decisions on its own financial condition rather than what another city pays.
Mayor Pro Tem Belmontes-Leyva supported the changes, pointing to Kimball’s nearly 20 years of experience and the importance of retaining qualified leadership.
“I think the bigger question is, can we afford not to have somebody, not to have Yvonne, someone of her caliber,” Leyva said.
Councilmember Sellers Jr. acknowledged the city’s financial challenges but sided with the outgoing majority, pointing to progress made since Kimball assumed the position.
Kimball’s contract changes increases the city’s annual compensation costs by $6,500, including $3,500 in salary and an additional $3,000 in vehicle allowance.
The agreement also changes severance provisions for termination without cause, increasing payments from the previous three months to four months initially, five months beginning Feb. 19, 2027, and six months beginning Feb. 19, 2028.
Kimball’s original agreement began Feb. 19, 2026. The approved amendments took effect Oct. 21.