Bell Gardens appoints Jonathan Nicks as new city manager
BELL GARDENS, CA — The Bell Gardens City Council voted 4-0 on Monday, Oct. 26, to appoint Jonathan Nicks as the city's new city manager. Mayor Pro Tem Isabel Guillén was absent.
Nicks currently serves as city manager of Indio in Riverside County. He will begin his new job on Jan. 4, 2027, according to city documents.
Councilmember Jorgel Chavez welcomed Nicks following the appointment.
"Congratulations, we're looking forward to working together," Chavez said.
Councilmember Marco Bárcena also welcomed Nicks and thanked acting City Manager Manuel A. Costa for leading the city during the search.
"I also want to thank Manuel for all the hard work holding the city together while we found the new leadership," Bárcena said.
Under the Bell Gardens Municipal Code, the city manager oversees city departments, supervises employees, and manages public buildings, parks, streets, and other city property. The city manager also helps enforce city laws and carries out duties assigned by the City Council.
Under a three-year contract approved by the council, Nicks will earn a base salary of $316,380 a year, plus retirement, health insurance, and other benefits.
The agreement also includes a $650 monthly car allowance and a $250 monthly technology allowance, bringing his total annual salary and allowances to $327,180, not including benefits.
Nicks will replace former City Manager Michael B. O'Kelly, who resigned effective June 6 after seven years with the city.
At his final City Council meeting in May, O'Kelly thanked the council, residents, businesses, and city employees for their support.
"It's been seven years of, I think, moving things forward, trying to continually improve upon things that were done before," O'Kelly said. "I'm very appreciative of the support and the trust that you all have given me during those seven years."
Manuel A. Costa has served as acting city manager since June 7. The City Council voted 5-0 to appoint him during a closed session on May 11.
Nicks was appointed city manager of Indio in May and began the job on June 13, according to a May 11 report by PublicCEO. He replaced Bryan Montgomery, who retired.
Nicks did not respond to a request for comment from The SELA Sun about his decision to leave Indio just months after taking the job.
Before becoming city manager, Nicks served as Indio's assistant city manager beginning in September 2024. In that role, he helped oversee the construction of a new City Hall, plans for a new police headquarters, and the city's five-year strategic plan, according to PublicCEO.
Nicks previously worked as deputy city manager of Menifee, where he held leadership roles in public works, community services, and human resources.
Nicks also held leadership positions with Orange County and the city of Placentia. He holds a bachelor's degree from Cal State Fullerton and a master's degree in public administration from Cal State Long Beach, according to his LinkedIn profile.
His contract with Bell Gardens runs through Jan. 4, 2030, with the option of two one-year extensions.
Under the agreement, Nicks would receive a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of his base salary, or $316,380, if the City Council ends his employment without cause.
