The City Manager of nearby Desert Hot Springs announced his resignation Wednesday, effective July 21. A name familiar to Morongo Basin residents, Dale Mondary, a Yucca Valley resident and former Morongo Basin Sheriff’s captain, currently that city’s police chief, was appointed interim city manager. Martin Magana had been Desert Hot Springs community development director for about 4 ½ years, before he was hired by the city council in May 2014 as the third city manager for Desert Hot Springs in a three-year period. Magana’s annual salary was $152,000, with reviews every six months. His contract said he could be terminated at any time by either the city or by Magana with 30 days’ notice. His resignation came immediately after a job evaluation by the Council. Magana said in a press release he was leaving for “personal reasons.”
