This past Tuesday evening, the Milpitas City Council voted unanimously to appoint Willie Hopkins as Milpitas’ next city manager.
“I am grateful for the confidence the Milpitas City Council has placed in me through this consideration,” said Hopkins in a press release, before the appointment was made. “Milpitas is a dynamic and forward-looking community, and I would welcome the opportunity to partner with the City Council, staff, residents, and local businesses to support the City’s goals and provide responsive, effective public service.”
Hopkins has been serving as city manager of the City of Compton since late 2023. Before that, he spent a couple of years serving as city manager for the City of Barstow.
A release from the City of Milpitas stated that Hopkins has “successfully managed and delivered more than $3 billion in capital projects, including oversight of a capital improvement plan valued at approximately $1.5 billion.”
“The City Council had the opportunity to consider many highly qualified candidates, and Mr. Willie Hopkins quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional fit for Milpitas,” said Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano. “His depth of leadership experience, collaborative management style, and strong track record overseeing complex municipal operations would bring tremendous value to our organization and community.”
Milpitas Police Chief Jared Hernandez has been serving as interim city manager since January of this year. With Hopkins’ official appointment, Hernandez will be stepping down from the role to return to his work at the Milpitas Police Department.
“Thank you to the council for having confidence in me to hold down this seat in the meantime while we looked for a permanent city manager,” said Hernandez at the council meeting.
He spoke also of how serving in the position gave him an opportunity to see how much work people in various departments put in to help the City function day-to-day.
The City of Milpitas has had a difficult time holding onto city managers over the years. Since 2017, there have been four permanent city managers, along with six different individuals who have served as interim/acting city manager. Hernandez had stepped in to serve in January after former Interim City Manager Deanna Santana left the position last December. In February 2025, the last permanent Milpitas City Manager Ned Thomas resigned and took on a city manager position in Boulder City, Nevada.
Last month, Hopkins was placed on paid leave by the Compton City Council during an investigation of a Compton Councilmember who rang up unauthorized charges on a credit card. Hopkins is still currently listed as city manager on the City of Compton’s website.
The annual salary for the City of Milpitas’s new city manager is $350,000, along with benefits valued at $166,027.
Best wishes to Mr. Hopkins in his new role!
Questions for the reporter. 1) How come the City of Milpitas cannot retain City Managers? You mention it but offer no reason why? 2) If Hopkins was placed on paid leave pending an investigation of a fellow council member’s unauthorized use of a credit card, whatever became of that investigation and why was Hopkins involved? 3) This position is an appointment. Who were the other candidates and their qualifications? 4) Any comments from the City Council? Open and transparent government.