Arjona named interim city manager in Palmview

The Palmview City Council last Friday authorized its legal counsel to negotiate an interim city manager agreement with Ben Arjona following the resignation of City Manager Michael Leo last month.

 

Arjona is currently interim city manager of Progreso.

 

Council selected Arjona after interviewing him and three other candidates for interim behind closed doors in executive session for about four hours last Friday according to Mayor Ricardo “Rick” Villarreal, candidates Villarreal said were solicited through recommendations from neighboring cities and the city’s legal counsel.

 

 

Villarreal said Arjona won out in a competitive pool of candidates.

 

“I’ve known Ben for the better part of about 12 years. I’ve worked with him before in La Joya ISD and the guy is a whipper snapper, man,” Villarreal said.

 

Villarreal said the city will likely iron out the details of an agreement with Arjona next week, although he anticipates some sort of six-month interim agreement.

 

“We’re gonna see how he does,” Villarreal said.

 

Arjona says he gave notice to Progreso Monday and hopes to start working for Palmview by June 15.

 

Until then, Irma Garza — the city’s chief of staff and public relations officer — will temporarily manage the city.

 

“I’m excited. Excited to start working in a place that has a lot of potential and in a city that is actually growing pretty fast,” Arjona said.

 

Arjona says he’ previously worked in La Joya ISD’s college and readiness program and did information technology work at the cities of Edinburg and Hidalgo.

 

 

For almost a decade, Arjona was city manager of San Juan, until San Juan’s city commission fired him last year.

 

The city of Progreso appointed him as its interim city manager in February.

 

Arjona also serves as a school board trustee for Hidalgo ISD.

 

The new interim seems to be a likely candidate for the permanent role as Palmview’s city manager.

 

Villarreal described that as a distinct possibility and Arjona says he wants the position permanently.

 

“Most definitely. I think that’s what the goal is,” he said.

 

If he wants the job, Arjona will have to deliver on some priorities the city is looking for.

 

Villarreal said he’s interested in a city manager that deals equitably with the mayor and members of council, who can spur commercial growth, will expand the city, and will clean up job titles and duties for city employees.

 

He and other members of council are looking for a leader who can capitalize on the city’s growth and improve the city’s image, particularly through things like parks, Villarreal said.

 

“That’s what we need. We want to go forward,” he said.

 

Arjona says he’s the man for the job.

 

He said he’ll plan on starting his tenure by meeting with directors and assessing where the city stands currently, but that doesn’t mean he’s waiting to make an impact.

 

On the business development front, Arjona says he intends to be aggressive. He says he’s already talking to potential developers interested in Palmview.

 

“I was doing that for the city of San Juan, working for the economic development corporation for the past six or seven years,” he said. “And as you saw, the city grew. So that’s what we’re looking for in the city of Palmview. Because it’s what we call the place to be at, because that place is growing exponentially so fast.”