Mission Viejo has named Elaine Lister its new city manager.
Lister, who has worked with the city in various roles for more than three decades, will fill longtime city manager Dennis Wilberg’s post when he retires in September.
The City Council last week unanimously approved Lister’s contract, which begins July 6. It runs for two years and has the option to be renewed in 2026. She will be paid $285,000 annually with benefits, according to the contract.
“The council was in full agreement with this, which is a great way to start a city manager relationship,” Councilmember Wendy Bucknum said. “We are blessed to have Elaine. She has an understanding of what we are doing from a community development standpoint and what we are going to be facing in the future as our aging retail, infrastructure, etc., continues.”
Since 1990, Lister has served in different roles for Mission Viejo, including as a planning technician, assistant planner and associate planner. For the past 11 years, she has been the city’s community development director.
Wilberg has served as Mission Viejo’s city manager since January 2004, the longest-tenured city manager in Orange County. Throughout his tenure, Wilberg has mentored future city managers through a Cal State Fullerton fellowship program as well as regional and international organizations.
He has also worked with other city officials to create the second-largest animal shelter in Orange County, built an advanced water treatment facility and increased public safety, Mission Viejo spokesperson Kelly Tokarski said.
Wilberg’s last day as city manager will be Sept. 1, providing a “transitional period” before Lister fully takes over the role.
“We will both deal with issues collaboratively for a few weeks and then I will slowly fade away and let Elaine make the decisions,” Wilberg said.
The City Council discussed various options to find a replacement for him, Wilberg said, but ultimately decided to look in-house. After conducting a recruitment period, Lister was picked to serve in the role, he said.
In addition to Wilberg’s absence, Mission Viejo will also be losing its assistant city manager, Keith Rattay, who is retiring this summer. His last day will be July 31, and the city has not yet named his replacement.
The duo’s future absences put the city in a “unique situation,” said Bucknum, and the City Council wanted to “ensure that (the city) started with some continuity.”
“Mission Viejo is a unique place because we have amazing team members on our staff,” Bucknum said. “We can make all the policies we want, but the staff is what makes it come to life and create what you are seeing and experiencing. They function like a family and they care so we wanted to make sure we left all of that in a good state.”
Mayor Trish Kelly said she is “appreciative and grateful” for Lister being “willing to step into this position.”
“She comes with a great background and track record,” Kelly said. “It is going to be very difficult to lose a city manager and an assistant city manager, so this position is important to the city but we know the position is in great hands.”
