UPDATE: South Lake Tahoe city manager on indefinite paid leave
South Lake Tahoe City Manager Nancy Kerry is on indefinite paid leave, the city announced Wednesday.
The circumstances surrounding Kerry’s leave are still unknown, although her performance evaluation was on the past two City Council agendas, as recently as Tuesday, Feb. 6. The topic was discussed in closed session.
Kerry could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon — her city issued cellphone was not in service and an email was returned with an “out of office” reply.
Mayor Wendy David told the Tribune she could not say if Kerry’s leave was her decision or City Council’s decision. Other members of council either declined to comment — deferring to David — or did not respond to phone calls left by the Tribune.
In its announcement Wednesday, the city announced South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Chief Jeff Meston will serve as the acting city manager.
Meston, a veteran firefighter and chief, was hired by the city in 2013 more than six years after he moved to Lake Tahoe as a retiree. At the time he was hired, he had 32 years of firefighting experience.
In a phone call with the Tribune, Meston said he was not necessarily surprised to be asked to serve as acting city manager — both the fire chief and police chief have served as acting city manager at times when the city manager was out of town.
Meston said he is confident the city and its department heads will continue working on primary issues, including labor negotiations, while Kerry is on leave.
UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect comment from Wendy David and Jeff Meston. Additionally, the city issued a clarification Wednesday evening that Meston is the acting city manager, not interim city manager.
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