Lemon Grove appoints Tony Winney as interim city manager after Lydia Romero’s decade-long tenure ends

Leadership transition follows the departure of longtime city manager

Lemon Grove has selected Tony Winney to serve as interim city manager as the city begins a search process for a permanent chief administrator. The appointment comes after City Manager Lydia Romero announced she would depart effective Dec. 31, 2025, concluding about a decade in the role.

Romero’s departure was publicly announced on Dec. 23, 2025. City leadership indicated at the time that an interim city manager would be appointed while the City Council conducts a recruitment process for a permanent replacement. Lemon Grove operates under a council–manager form of government, in which the city manager is the top administrative official responsible for implementing council policy, overseeing departments, and preparing the annual budget for council consideration.

What the interim city manager role entails

In Lemon Grove’s structure, the city manager’s office coordinates City Council agendas, supervises and coordinates city departments, and provides executive management for city operations. The interim city manager typically assumes these responsibilities while the city maintains continuity on ongoing projects, staffing, budget execution, and council-directed priorities.

City Council meetings in Lemon Grove are generally scheduled for the first and third Tuesday of each month, with agendas posted in advance. Interim appointments are commonly handled in open session through council action, sometimes alongside related administrative steps such as contract approvals and delegation of authority.

Tony Winney’s regional government background

Winney brings extensive experience in local government within San Diego County. Publicly available professional records describe more than two decades of work in state and local government and roles spanning budgeting, redevelopment, public works, economic development, and labor negotiations. He has previously served in executive and management capacities in multiple San Diego-area cities, including National City, Vista, and Carlsbad, and has held positions with La Mesa and Poway.

Winney has also been active in professional municipal management organizations in California, including leadership roles connected to city management and municipal administration.

Key context in Lemon Grove’s civic calendar

• Romero’s departure was set for Dec. 31, 2025, triggering the interim period at the start of 2026.

• Lemon Grove has continued to post regular and special City Council meetings in January 2026, reflecting an active agenda cycle at the outset of the leadership change.

Interim city manager appointments are designed to preserve administrative continuity while elected officials evaluate candidates for a long-term hire.

The city has not finalized a public timeline for the permanent city manager recruitment in the materials reviewed. The interim appointment positions Lemon Grove to continue day-to-day operations while the council considers longer-term leadership options.