After six years representing the city of National City and providing legal advice to the city council, City Attorney Claudia Silva resigned this week from her position.
She leaves National City to work for San Diego County’s legal team starting Oct. 18.
Silva said working for the county is a career move that she could not pass up.
“It’s a great opportunity to expand and use my skills in a larger way,” she said. “I get to serve a larger constituency and continue my public service.”
Her resignation has city officials scrambling to find her replacement.
City Manager Leslie Deese said she is in the final stages of selecting a recruiting firm— with the council’s approval—to conduct a search for National City’s next legal representative.
The approximate cost of the recruitment for a new city attorney is estimated at $25,000 to $30,000. Salary savings from the vacancy will offset the cost of an interim city attorney.
Retired City Attorney George Eiser III, will serve as the interim city attorney while a search is being conducted.
Eiser was Silva’s predecessor, having previously served as city attorney for 25 years. Because Eiser is retired, he comes back temporarily as a retired annuitant and must follow all of the CalPers guidelines, which limit the hours he works and length of time he can be employed before it interferes with his retirement.
Deese said she anticipates the selection and hiring of a new city attorney within the next four to six months.
Councilwoman Mona Rios said she was surprised to hear about Silva’s resignation.
“Claudia is very knowledgeable about municipal city policy and it is going to be a great loss to the city of National City,” she said.
Rios said she would like to see the next city attorney have the same knowledge as Silva about municipal policy, and seeks someone who can work well with the city manager and police department.
Silva was the deputy city attorney in city of San Diego for nearly 12 years before coming to National City in 2005 where she served in the same capacity and was appointed city attorney in 2010.
“I have enjoyed my time here immensely,” she said. “And I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have served in this great city.”
Silva earned $199,900 annually.
Silva, a Chula Vista resident, said she will never forget her time in National City.
“I’m going to miss the community here, the residents and the people who work here every day who worked so hard to make National City the best city for its residents and business community.
