Weslaco begins search for new city manager

WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of Weslaco held a special meeting Monday to interview potential candidates for the city manager position after the former city manager retired back in May.

Mayor Adrian Gonzalez says it is a big job, and they want to make sure they have the right person for it as Weslaco continues to grow in population and economic development.

“My main question is: what are you going to do when there are all these people and residents coming, knocking on your door and asking questions about our drainage and infrastructure?” Gonzalez said.

The city quickly went into executive session to begin its first round of interviews, making it clear what both residents and city officials are looking for in their next chief administrative officer.

The city council spent more than two hours behind closed doors, interviewing three of the five finalists for the position. Local business owner Argelia Cruz, who opened her business just three months ago, says she hopes the new leader understands the needs of small business owners.

“Hope he is a good leader for us entrepreneurs who have businesses. May he be available to us and help with all the permits, and may they not put up too many obstacles so that we can move forward and work,” Cruz said.

Cruz says she decided to open her business in Weslaco because she believes the city’s entrepreneurial spirit is growing, but also wants the new city manager to focus on drainage issues.

“There are many people who suffer because of the rains, since it floods a lot here in the city. In fact, there are shops that can get flooded too,” Cruz added.

Mayor Gonzalez says those concerns are exactly the kind of questions he is asking during the interviews.

“What plan of action are you going to have?” he said.

The mayor says he is looking for someone who can help retain local businesses while also attracting new economic development, especially since the city recently secured $26 million in funding for its airport and has drainage projects underway.

“Somebody good with the people, very transparent, financially sound, and who knows about finances. That is key, especially when dealing with unions, police, and fire—somebody that can move at that speed,” Gonzalez said.

Three of the candidates are from outside the city, while two currently work for Weslaco. Mayor Gonzalez says he wants someone who can build on the legacy of former city manager Martin Garza, who served for three years before retiring earlier this year.

“That leadership, the individual that’s going to be motivated, that’s going to motivate our employees, that’s going to be out there making sure we get close with entities and get the financing we need for our projects,” he said.

Mayor Gonzalez expects the city will make a final decision on the new city manager by next week, once all five candidates have been interviewed.