Selma hires communications director; council approves employment contract amid public praise and a salary question

The Selma City Council on Sept. 2 approved an employment agreement appointing Jose Moreno as communications director/public information officer, making him a regular city employee with a one‑year probationary period and severance protections for that probationary year.

City Attorney summarized the contract terms and conditions for the new position. The appointed communications director will be a regular employee subject to city personnel rules and the supervision of the city manager; adverse employment actions require council approval. The contract includes a one‑year probation during which the appointee may be terminated without cause, and in that event the contract provides a three‑month severance payment. City Attorney said Moreno’s start date is Sept. 8 and the contract was presented for council approval in advance of that date.

During public comment, Theresa Salas reviewed salary and benefits elements from the contract on the record, saying the starting salary of $97,740.75 plus a $5,000 annual stipend, a monthly car allowance of $416, city‑provided cellphone and benefit enrollment produced a total first‑year cash and benefit package she characterized as higher than some department heads. Salas also noted the contract places Moreno at a step that provides 18 days of vacation accrual and 12 days of administrative leave in his first year. Councilmembers and members of the public responded with support for the hire. A resident who said Moreno had volunteered widely and produced publicity materials urged the council to give the new hire a chance; several councilmembers described Moreno as an experienced local communicator and cited his volunteer work with the business improvement district and community events.

Councilmember Trujillo voted no; all other members voted to approve the contract (Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, Mayor Robertson, Councilmembers Avalos and Oseguera voted yes). Council and the city manager said Moreno would be formally introduced at the next council meeting and that staff would consider assigning him to support the business improvement district as a staff facilitator (without a vote on that board). The city attorney confirmed that the severance provision lapses after the one‑year probationary period ends and that employment thereafter will be governed by the city’s personnel rules.

Why it matters: The hire creates a dedicated communications function for Selma at a time when council members and staff emphasize marketing downtown and improving public outreach. The contract’s compensation and leave terms drew public scrutiny and prompted council discussion about expectations, oversight and the value of professional communications work.