Council grants interim manager pay, authorizes executive search process and hires job description for city manager

Floresville — The City Council voted to raise Interim City Manager Monica Veliz’s pay to the level previously paid to the former city manager and authorized an external recruitment process to fill the permanent city manager post.

Interim pay: On a motion by Councilmember Martin, seconded by Councilwoman Jessica Green, the council approved giving Veliz the same pay rate the previous city manager received, retroactive to the date the prior manager’s pay ended. The motion passed unanimously at the meeting. Council discussion cited Veliz’s experience and the need for business‑as‑usual continuity while the city conducts a search for a permanent manager.

Search process and hiring committee: The council also authorized staff to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) to hire an executive search firm to assist with recruiting a permanent city manager and approved forming an ad hoc hiring committee to review applicants. Council members said the goal is a confidential, professional recruitment that broadens the candidate pool beyond applicants who actively seek the position. The motion to issue an RFQ and create the committee carried on a 3‑2 vote; councilmembers who supported the RFQ said outside firms can confidentially reach sitting managers and bring more qualified candidates, while opponents said an in‑house committee could do the work at lower cost.

Job description: Council reviewed and approved a revised city manager job description to be used in outreach and in the RFQ materials. The updated description references required and preferred education and experience and will be included in the RFQ and vacancy announcement.

Why it matters: The interim pay decision provides immediate compensation parity and recognizes the added responsibilities Veliz is managing during the transition. Contracting for an executive search firm and setting a formal job description aim to speed recruitment while protecting confidentiality and expanding outreach to passive candidates.

Implementation and next steps: Staff will post the RFQ and assemble the ad hoc hiring committee membership as directed by council; HR and the city secretary will publish the city manager vacancy using the approved job description and will present a recommended timeline and budget for the search at a future meeting. The interim pay adjustment is effective retroactively to the date discussed and will be processed through payroll.

Ending: Council members asked staff to return with a timetable for the RFQ, a proposed hiring timeline and an estimate of search costs ahead of entering any contract with a search firm.