CITY COUNCIL APPOINTS TONY WINNEY AS PERMANENT CITY MANAGER

Lemon Grove, CA — 

The City Council of the City of Lemon Grove is proud to announce the formal appointment of Tony Winney as the City’s permanent City Manager, following the approval of an employment agreement during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Winney has skillfully guided the organization as Lemon Grove’s Interim City Manager since January 26, 2026. His permanent appointment is the result of a comprehensive, nationwide executive search. Following an extensive vetting process that evaluated numerous highly qualified regional and national candidates, the City Council selected Winney to step into the permanent leadership role, ensuring continuous, stable management for the community.

"'Throughout his tenure as interim, Tony has demonstrated exceptional leadership, financial acumen, and a genuine dedication to our community. The City Council is thrilled to officially welcome Mr. Winney as our City Manager as we work together to implement the City Council’s long-term vision for Lemon Grove." — Jessyka Heredia, Mayor Pro Tem of Lemon Grove

Reflecting on his appointment, Winney shared his enthusiasm for the community's path forward:

“I am deeply honored and grateful to the City Council for the trust they have placed in me to serve as Lemon Grove’s permanent City Manager. The past seven months have given me an even greater appreciation for this community, our dedicated City employees, and the tremendous opportunities ahead of us.

I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together, and I’m excited to continue building on that momentum — strengthening our organization, maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility, advancing the City Council’s priorities, and creating new opportunities for economic investment and an even stronger quality of life.

I am committed to serving this community with integrity, transparency, and a focus on getting things done. Lemon Grove is a special community with a bright future, and I am incredibly excited to be part of it.” — Tony Winney, City Manager

Winney brings 25 years of specialized public administration experience across Southern California to the role, having previously held leadership positions in the cities of Coronado, National City, and Vista. 

Incorporated in 1977, Lemon Grove is nestled just 15 minutes east of downtown San Diego. Known for its rich citrus heritage and the historic "World's Largest Lemon" landmark, the City proudly offers an exceptional quality of life highlighted by a vibrant, walkable downtown, historic neighborhoods, and a tight-knit community spirit. Home to more than 27,000 diverse residents, Lemon Grove is rooted in history and cultivating new opportunities. 

For more information about the City of Lemon Grove or upcoming City Council meetings, please visit the official City website at https://lemongrove.ca.gov.

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