The Cupertino City Council has removed the word “interim” from Tina Kapoor’s title and appointed her as city manager.
The position has been a high-profile and high-tension job filled by a parade of nine permanent and temporary hires since 2018. Kapoor was deputy city manager in May when her predecessor, Pamela Wu, was placed on leave by the city council, which then named Kapoor interim city manager. Wu and the city reached a settlement in June, with Wu voluntarily departing and the city stopping an investigation into her conduct.
In her new role, Kapoor is the city’s chief executive serving a population of nearly 59,000, while overseeing an annual operating budget of $134 million, 207 municipal employees and having to straddle deep political divides on housing and development issues.
Kapoor came to Cupertino in October 2021 as economic development manager and became deputy city manager in May 2023. She previously worked for 20 years in economic and business development roles for the cities of Fremont and San Jose.
Although the city council was split 3-2 on placing Wu on leave, Tuesday’s vote for Kapoor was unanimous.
“Many residents have had an opportunity to work with Tina, and she has proved to be very responsive to residents’ concerns and will take action to address issues,” Mayor Liang Chao said at the meeting. “(She) has served the city well.”
Councilmember J.R. Fruen added, “We’re a noisy bunch, so I’m not sure whether I should be congratulating you or offering you condolences.”
Kapoor will receive an annual base salary of $327,000 — adding benefits, payroll taxes and retirement contributions brings the total to $459,675.
Councilmember Sheila Mohan said the city was fortunate to have Kapoor on deck when Wu departed, avoiding what can sometimes be a chaotic transition from one city manager to another.
“I’m hoping we’ve put a temporary halt to the revolving door,” Mohan told San José Spotlight.
Jean Bedord, a long-time Cupertino resident and publisher of the newsletter Cupertino Matters, has made a list of the nine city managers in the past seven years.
“As city manager, Tina will provide much needed stability for Cupertino,” Bedord told San José Spotlight. “She’s a proven leader.”
Bedord also pointed to a 2022 report by the Santa Clara County Grand Jury that found a toxic work environment between some members of city council and the city staff.
“These issues adversely impact the city’s ability to best serve the community and effectively operate the city.” the reported stated.
Contact Mike Langberg at [email protected].