Former San Diego city manager joins La Jolla incorporation effort

LA JOLLA – The La Jolla incorporation effort has enlisted a “cleanup” hitter to help guide the community through the next critical phase of becoming its own independent city.

Jack McGrory, who worked for the city of San Diego for 23 years — including serving as city manager from 1991 to 1997 — has joined the nonprofit Association for the City of La Jolla.

As its new chief negotiator and strategic advisor, he will help guide the group through an independent Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis performed by the Local Agency Formation Commission in order to determine the feasibility of the community becoming a municipality.

McGrory will also provide guidance on fundraising and community engagement efforts required by ACLJ to complete the CFA and related professional work required by the state.

LAFCO operates in all of California’s 58 counties, overseeing the establishment, expansion, governance, and dissolution of local government agencies and municipal service areas to meet current and future community needs.

The Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis is a required step in LAFCO’s review process. It will provide an independent evaluation of the financial feasibility of La Jolla’s incorporation. The study will examine 10-year projected revenues and expenses, the proposed city’s ability to provide municipal services and maintain financial stability, an analysis of revenue neutrality, and potential fiscal effects on affected local agencies, including the city of San Diego.

McGrory brings decades of experience in public administration, negotiations, and civic leadership. During his tenure as San Diego’s city manager, he oversaw major municipal initiatives while developing a reputation for thoughtful leadership, fiscal responsibility, and the ability to navigate complex governmental processes.

His public service resume includes helping to bring Super Bowls XXII and XXXII to San Diego, helping make Petco Park a reality, and, more recently, playing a leading role in bringing San Diego State University’s new western campus to fruition.

In an interview with Times of San Diego, McGrory discussed his new role with the ACLJ.

“The organization needs a lead negotiator with LAFCO to get their endorsement,” McGrory said. “Then, we’ll have to negotiate an exit strategy with the city, and I’ll be the lead negotiator on that as well.”

La Jolla’s current drive for incorporation is unlike any other, McGrory noted.

“What’s unique about it is that this would be the first time in over 100 years that a community has exited from a city,” he said. “Usually, it’s an unincorporated area trying to become its own city. So, we’re setting new ground here, and the rules will be developed as we go to be fair to everybody.”

Nonetheless, the standard rules of engagement for incorporation will still apply to La Jolla. McGrory and ACLJ are confident the vote for cityhood will be approved overwhelmingly by the community. However, La Jolla’s independence will also need to pass a citywide vote to succeed.

La Jolla secession has been considered for decades, but it never progressed past the initial discussion phase due to a lack of momentum or funding. Several attempts over the years fell short for those same reasons. McGrory believes this time is different.

“The city as a whole is in a desperate financial situation, and clearly the services being delivered to La Jolla are inadequate,” he said. “Our infrastructure is in dire need; some of our streets are nearly impassable. We want to help the city of San Diego. We can handle these improvements ourselves and allow San Diego to focus on other areas of need.”

What is the solution? “We need to go back to a manager running a city professionally, and the city of San Diego’s charter won’t allow that,” McGrory said.

“We can do better — we know we can. It’s time for us to get the services we truly deserve.”