MOUNTAIN HOUSE — General Manager Paul Sensibaugh has been approved to serve as an on-call consultant to his replacement next year.

In a 4-to-1 vote by the Mountain House Community Services District board of directors on Dec. 14, a professional services contract was approved for Sensibaugh. The contract states he will be available at any time for his replacement following his final day on the job, Jan. 15, 2012.

As the search for a new GM continues, Sensibaugh told the board he would offer his assistance to the new GM for a maximum of $50,000. The funds would be made available from the community reserve fund on an as-needed basis through June 30, 2012 — Sensibaugh will only be paid if he's needed.

Sensibaugh told the board he would be available to his replacement, as well as board members, for consultations. At a meeting in July, when he first announced his retirement plans, Sensibaugh said he was proud of what he accomplished in guiding Mountain House from a set of blueprints to a diverse community of more than 3,000 homes.

Director Bernice King Tingle questioned whether the new general manager would want Sensibaugh’s guidance — she thought the board should wait and see what his replacement wanted.

But Sensibaugh assured he would charge less than he plans to charge other businesses and communities upon his departure from government to private employment, after Director Jass Singh questioned his rates.

Director Jim Lamb pointed out that if the board voted down the agreement and later was in need of Sensibaugh’s assistance, they might well find themselves paying at a higher rate, as Sensibaugh wouldn’t have to exercise the same costs as in the original agreement.

“It’s a fair offer,” Lamb said. “I don’t see any harm in the contract. If we need the services, it’s available. I see no risk.”

Director Celeste Farron motioned to approve the agreement, but Singh amended the motion to cut the amount to $25,000. Singh said he would rather have the next general manager approve an extension, and Lamb seconded the amended motion.

But the board’s legal counsel, Attorney Daniel Schroeder, said if Sensibaugh’s replacement seeks an extension, he or she wouldn’t have the same locked-in rate, which could cost the community more.

Hearing the news of a possible cost increase, Lamb rescinded his second to Singh’s motion.

After Singh’s motion failed, the original proposed contract with Sensibaugh was passed, with Andy Su voting in opposition.