Lemon Grove City Council members are expected Tuesday, Sept. 1, to consider a three-year employment agreement that would make interim City Manager Tony Winney the city’s permanent city manager, according to East County Magazine.

Winney has served as interim city manager since January, after the departure of Lydia Romero. The proposed agreement would set his starting annual salary at $215,000, with cost-of-living increases tied to the San Diego-area Consumer Price Index and capped at 3 percent, according to the report.

The agreement also includes an $8,000 annual city contribution to a deferred-compensation plan, a $500 monthly automobile allowance and executive management benefits. If approved, the contract would run through 2029.

East County Magazine reported that the city conducted an open recruitment beginning in January, reviewed dozens of applications and held multiple interview rounds before offering Winney the permanent role. His background includes more than 25 years of local government experience, with previous work in Rancho Cucamonga, Coronado, National City, Vista, Carlsbad, Poway and La Mesa.

For Santee and nearby East County communities, the decision is part of the same regional conversation about city leadership, budgets, public works, economic development and emergency operations. The city manager role is responsible for administering city operations and carrying out council policy, making Tuesday’s vote one to watch for residents who follow local government across East County.