Steve Soboroff is a longtime fixture in Los Angeles civic life who is now serving as chief recovery officer for the city’s wildfire comeback.

Steve Soboroff, the recently appointed Los Angeles wildfire recovery czar, was to be paid $500,000 for 90 days of work, saying his expertise was well worth the price. But then Mayor Karen Bass, faced with backlash over the $5,556-a-day fee to be paid by nonprofit groups, reversed course, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Steve Soboroff’s salary would have been funded by charitable organizations. He had defended the arrangement, saying his expertise made him worth the $500,000.