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Del Rio council ratifies manager separation, names interim city attorney and interim city manager
Summary
At a March 4 special meeting, the Del Rio City Council ratified the mutual separation of the city manager, approved Denton Navarro Rodriguez Bernal Santee & Zech, P.C. as interim city attorney, and—after executive session—appointed Manuel Chavez interim city manager amid public concerns about process and transparency.
The Del Rio City Council on March 4 ratified the mutual separation of the city manager, approved a private law firm to serve as interim city attorney and, following an executive session, appointed Manuel Chavez as interim city manager.
During the public-comment period, three leaders of the Border Organization pressed the council for transparency and due process after the council moved to separate from the former city manager and terminate the city attorney. Eddie Cortez said the former city attorney had requested that any discussion of her employment be held in open session under Texas Government Code Sec. 551.074 and said he believed denying that request violated the employee's "due process rights," warning that actions taken under improper procedure could be voided. Patricio Garza asked how the city would maintain continuity on water rates and infrastructure projects and what financial implications—severance, interim staffing or litigation—might follow. Sandra Fuentes described the former city attorney as having "demonstrated professionalism and effectiveness" and asked the council to revisit the termination and follow applicable procedures.
On the agenda, Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez moved to approve Resolution R:2026-028, ratifying the mutual separation of the city manager; Councilwoman Ernestina Martinez seconded and the council approved the measure unanimously.
Council then considered R:2026-029, to retain the law firm Denton Navarro Rodriguez Bernal Santee & Zech, P.C. to provide interim city-attorney services. Councilman J. P. Sanchez expressed fiscal concerns about hiring an out-of-town firm for day-to-day legal matters and moved to reinstate the former city attorney, Ana Smith Markowski; Mayor Alvaro Arreola said that motion was not related to the posted agenda item and that no formal action on that motion could be taken under the current agenda. The council voted 5–2 to approve the law-firm contract (Sanchez and Councilman Randy Quinones opposed).
The council next debated R:2026-030, an appointment for interim city manager. Mayor Pro Tem James DeReus advocated for Manuel Chavez, saying Chavez was a local candidate already familiar with city policies and procedures; DeReus moved to appoint Chavez, seconded by Randy Quinones. That initial motion failed on a 2–5 vote, and the council moved into executive session under Texas Government Code Sec. 551.074 and Sec. 551.071. The meeting reconvened at 8:48 p.m.; the record notes no action was taken during the executive session itself. Immediately after reconvening, Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez moved and Councilman J. P. Sanchez seconded a motion to appoint Manuel Chavez as interim city manager under the same conditions as his previous interim contract. The motion passed 6–1, with Councilman Jesus Lopez, Jr. opposed.
Votes at a glance: R:2026-028 ratifying the mutual separation of the city manager was moved by Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez, seconded by Ernestina Martinez, and passed unanimously (AYE: Mayor Alvaro Arreola; Councilmen James DeReus, J. P. Sanchez, Jesus Lopez, Jr.; Councilmen Randy Quinones; Councilwomen Ernestina Martinez, Carmen Gutierrez). R:2026-029 to appoint Denton Navarro Rodriguez Bernal Santee & Zech, P.C. as interim city attorney was moved by Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez, seconded by Councilman Jesus Lopez, Jr., and passed 5–2 (AYE: Arreola, DeReus, Martinez, Lopez Jr., Gutierrez; OPPOSED: Sanchez, Quinones). R:2026-030 to appoint Manuel Chavez first failed (moved by James DeReus; seconded by Randy Quinones; vote 2–5) and, after executive session, was moved again by Carmen Gutierrez, seconded by J. P. Sanchez, and passed 6–1 (OPPOSED: Jesus Lopez, Jr.).
The council entered executive session at 6:17 p.m. under Texas Government Code Sec. 551.074 (personnel) and Sec. 551.071 (legal consultation) and reconvened at 8:48 p.m.; the minutes state no action was taken during the executive session and document that subsequent action to appoint Chavez occurred after reconvening. With no further business, Mayor Arreola adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m.
What happens next: The minutes do not record contract terms, severance amounts, or a timeline for a permanent city-manager search. Citizens who spoke asked the council for clearer information about the reasons for the separations and potential financial impacts; the record does not show the council providing those details at this meeting.
