El Centro council narrows applicants to eight for interview to fill vacancy left by Tomas Olivas

The El Centro City Council on a 4‑0 vote adopted rankings to identify eight applicants for interviews as part of the process to fill the council seat vacated by Tomas Olivas, whose resignation staff recorded as March 4, 2025. The appointment process follows an application period that closed April 6, 2025.

Interim city staff reported that 16 applications were received and that staff verified applicants met legal criteria: residency in El Centro, registration to vote there, and being at least 18 years old. The council had earlier discussed an appointment process at the March 18 meeting and opted for appointment rather than a special election, citing cost and timing concerns.

Council members initially planned to interview the top five applicants but, after discussion, agreed to interview the top eight because 16 applications were submitted. The council adopted the rankings and directed staff to schedule interviews. The eight candidates named for interviews (in no particular order) are Edgar Garcia, Jason Jackson, Cheryl Villegas Walker, Ashley Bertucci, Richard Lopez, Michael Crankshaw, David Dillon, and Raymond Loera.

Staff described the interview process: candidates must be at City Hall Conference Room A by 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, random draw will determine interview order, each council member will ask the same question of all applicants, applicants will have three minutes for a statement, and the council will rank candidates at the conclusion of the interviews. The top‑ranked candidate will be offered the appointment; if they decline the offer, the next ranked candidate will be contacted. The selected appointee must be available to be sworn in and attend the reorganizational meeting scheduled for April 21, 2025.

The council motion to adopt the rankings passed 4‑0. Staff and the city clerk will notify the selected applicants and provide interview details.