14 Oct Manuel Chavez Officially Del Rio’s City Manager After Unanimous Council Vote

Manuel Chavez has dropped the “interim” from his title. Del Rio’s City Council voted Tuesday to make him the city’s full-time city manager, per the 830 Times.

Chavez has been filling in since the previous manager left, and he’s no stranger to the seat. He’s worked for the city for 26 years, and City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith joked that he has stepped in as interim roughly a thousand times over that stretch.

The vote capped off the council’s Oct. 13 regular meeting, following a long closed-door session. Back in open session, members first handled a few municipal court items. After that, Councilman Leno Hernandez put forward a motion, and Councilman J.P. Sanchez seconded it.

Hernandez first worded it as starting negotiations with Chavez, which led Smith to ask whether the council meant to negotiate or to hire. Mayor Al Arreola said the plan was to offer Chavez the job that night and sort out salary and benefits afterward. Hernandez reworded the motion to name Chavez city manager effective immediately, pending a contract. The council approved it unanimously.

Arreola shook Chavez’s hand and congratulated him, and Hernandez said the promotion was well earned.

Chavez told the 830 Times he’s grateful to the council for trusting him as interim and for backing him now in the permanent role. He also thanked his wife, Wendy Chavez, saying he wouldn’t have considered the job without her support.

His contract, including pay and benefits, has yet to be negotiated.