Cecilia Gallardo-Daly, a 30-year veteran of local government, will serve as Costa Mesa’s new city manager.
The City Council unanimously approved Gallardo-Daly’s three-year employment contract this week, making permanent the role she has been in since June 3.
“I’m very grateful for everything Ms. Gallardo-Daly has done to step up for the city of Costa Mesa,” Mayor John Stephens said. “I think she has a bright future in leading the city.”
The City Council had unanimously supported tapping Gallardo-Daly earlier this year to replace long-time City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, who was ousted in a 4-2-1 vote during a closed session meeting in May. Harrison sued the city in July, alleging that her dismissal was made in bad faith.
Gallardo-Daly will earn an annual base salary of $320,000, with $131,700 in benefits value.
Under the terms of her contract, Gallardo-Daly is entitled to a full year’s pay as severance if terminated without cause. She also cannot be fired 90 days before or after a municipal election. The contract stipulates that Gallardo-Daly undergo an annual performance review, with the first scheduled on July 30, 2026, and she and the City Council will work together to develop performance goals for the city manager’s office.
Councilmember Arlis Reynolds said the city has not regularly conducted performance evaluations for previous city managers, and pushed for the council to be more involved in setting standards going forward.
Gallardo-Daly has extensive city government and urban planning experience across the state. As Costa Mesa’s assistant city manager, she oversaw redevelopment planning for Fairview Developmental Center and handled property acquisition for the Shalimar Park expansion project, according to a city press release. Before that, she served as assistant city manager of San Clemente and has held planning roles in San Diego, Rancho Cucamonga, Rosemead and Sierra Madre. She also worked as a planning and environmental permitting consultant for local agencies from 2001 to 2013.
Gallardo-Daly holds a degree in political science and a master’s in urban planning, both from UCLA.