San Benito looking for place for Jalomo

SAN BENITO - Hector Jalomo's job duties and titles are up in the air now that the city has hired its full-time city manager.

Before Jalomo was made the interim city manager in August, he worked as the director of public works.

On Friday, Jalomo referred questions about his job to City Manager Manuel Lara.

Jalomo became a city employee when he was a teenager. Over the years he worked in a number of departments including the water and wastewater systems, streets and zoning. And he also worked as assistant city manager.

Lara on Friday said he hoped to keep Jalomo as an assistant city manager, citing his experience.

"He's a wealth of knowledge," Lara said. "He's a great resource for us."

Jalomo's expertise in the public works department is also necessary. Whatever the commission decides, Jalomo's job duties might be extensive, which should be comparable to his salary, Lara said.

Mayor Joe H. Hernandez said Lara has held discussions with the commissioners about Jalomo's position, but a formal presentation hasn't been made.

"I told (Lara) if it was something that was good for the community, it would be something I'd back up 100 percent," Hernandez said of having Jalomo as assistant city manager.

Next week, Lara plans to look at the budget to find money to compensate Jalomo for his work.

"He was there when we, the commission, needed him and he did an outstanding job," Hernandez said. "He's deserving of that position."

Lara said he wants to examine the budget and find justifications for each budget line item.

His goal, he said, is to find money to fund "crucial positions" like the chief of police and a planning director.

Funding for the police chief may come from the department itself. Should Lara and the commission decide to hire Commander George Gomez as the chief, the city may eliminate the commander position, Lara said.

"We can make it work. We just need to put some thought in it," Lara said.