Figueroa chosen as Calexico’s city manager
CALEXICO — Miguel Figueroa was appointed the new city manager on Wednesday.
Figueroa has been the city’s community economic development director and assistant city manager since February 2017.
He will be taking over as city manager following the departure of David B. Dale, who got the job in February 2018.
During its regular meeting Wednesday, the Calexico City Council unanimously voted (5-0) to approve Figueroa’s contract.
Figueroa is the city’s 28th city manager in the past 39 years.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Dale was presented an honorary plaque for his service and received comments of praise from council members.
Dale and Figueroa worked alongside each other the past three years.
Just before the council voted to approve Figueroa’s contract, Council members Lewis Pacheco and Bill Hodge shared their thoughts.
“I think that the transition that we’re having with Miguel is in order,” Pacheco said. “I believe he’s got the pulse of the city, and he and David did a great, great job. It was a great team. These guys were keeping the city afloat. It’s a good transition, and I think the contract is acceptable.”
“I just read it (Figueroa’s contract) thoroughly and I think that it’s pretty sound, and I agree with all the details in that contract, especially the compensation,” Hodge said. “I think it is a fair and equitable amount -- not too high and not too low.”
Figueroa received the same contract that former City Manager Armando Villa (June 2016-December 2017) received.
The contract is for five years with a base salary of $169,000 annually. It includes benefits, such as a $400 vehicle allowance, and a provision that requires a 4-1 council vote to terminate without cause (3-2 vote with cause).
Figueroa’s promotion will take effect Aug. 1.
During Wednesday’s meeting, city attorney Carlos Campos said the salaries of the most recent city managers ranged from $144,000 to $198,000.
Figueroa, an El Centro native, started working in Calexico in 2003, when he was named executive director of the non-profit Calexico New River Committee, where he worked about seven years.
He went on to become the Imperial County Workforce Development Office director. He was hired in September 2017 as Calexico’s economic development director.