BIGGS, CA (MPG) - The September 2024 whistleblower complaint that former Biggs City Administrator Josh Cook made about allegations of retaliation toward him by former Councilmember Brian Bassett and current Mayor James (Bo) Sheppard had nothing to do with Cook's recent termination, according to Biggs Interim City Administrator Cliff Wagner. Wagner told The Gridley Herald that the Biggs City Council terminated Cook in a closed session meeting Jan. 31 for a breach of contract.

"No, the termination had nothing to do with the complaint," Wagner said. "The grounds for termination were unrelated to the findings in the complaint."

Wagner would not say what the breach of contract was because Cook filed a lawsuit with the City of Biggs for wrongful termination.

Cook, who was hired in March 2023 as the City of Biggs' city administrator, was out on medical leave in September through October 2024. Cook was placed on paid administration leave from November 2024 through January 2025 during the whistleblower complaint investigation.

When asked for comment from The Gridley Herald, Cook responded, “Three Biggs councilmembers have already resigned; one lost the last election and was put back on the council anyway. At last count, four investigations are ongoing. I will continue to cooperate fully. I cannot say more at this time.”

The whistleblower complaint, based on alleged incidents between May 29, 2023 and Sept. 27, 2024 is currently attracting attention because the Biggs City Council on Feb. 11 decided to release report findings from an independent investigation of the complaint. That report is on the City of Biggs website at biggs-ca.gov. 

The City of Biggs hired Municipal Resource Group, LLC last Oct. 17 to conduct an independent investigation. 

"The city has a duty to fully and fairly investigate all complaints by an employee and the city undertook that responsibility seriously by contracting with an HR investigator," Wagner said. "Her (Wilson's) findings stand on its own."

On page 19 of the independent investigation report, Municipal Resource Group's investigator Martha K. Wilson, JD, wrote, "Every allegation Cook raised in his Complaint were raised prior to his invoking whistleblower status and were issues previously raised with the City Council without any adverse employment action or threat thereof against Cook."

Wagner, who retired as Gridley city administrator in December 2023, is contracted as Biggs interim city administrator from the first week of November 2024 to the last week of June 2025.

"The council is committed to doing a careful, thorough recruitment process to find an outstanding professional administrator for the long-term," Wagner said.

There is no timeline yet for when a new city administrator will be hired.

"The City of Biggs is aware that there are other retired public officials who can come here on an interim basis to purchase them more time," Wagner said. "The position is not being advertised yet because other priorities are in play. It would be a mistake to rush the process." 

Those priorities include bringing the city's new accountant "up to speed," according to Wagner, and filling a City Council vacancy. 

"As of right now, we've had three resignations from the council. The first was in November with Chuck Nuchols," Wagner said. "There was an enormous amount of concern from the community about decisions the city made and city policies and a lot of criticism frankly. Chuck decided he has a career to focus on, a family to focus on. It's a hard, thankless job."

"In December, Michael Buck resigned because he was unhappy of being accused of ethics violations and last week, Brian Bassett resigned," Wagner said. "I think like Chuck, from what I've heard Brian express, he was frustrated with the sum total of the allegations and criticisms from the community. We've had a very active social media engagement from the community." 

The first two City Council resignations were replaced with City Council appointments who are former councilmembers. Doug Arnold replaced Nuchols and Jerome Squires replaced Buck. 

The third vacancy, under state law, according to Wagner, must be filled in a special election and not by appointment.

"The dates for those elections are dictated by state code. The next election is November 2025 or council could wait until November 2026," Wagner said. "That will be outlined to City Council and the public at the next Biggs City Council by the city attorney. It's up to council to decide whether to proceed with calling the election in November 2025 or November 2026."

The next Biggs City Council meeting, which is open to the public, is at 5 p.m. March 11 at Biggs City Hall, 3016 Sixth St., Biggs.