Third Department Head Resigns from City

Contributed by the City Manager's Office

Mario Maldonado, the City of Watsonville’s Deputy City Manager, has announced that he will be leaving the City and relocating to Southern California after having served the Watsonville community for the past 14 years. Maldonado’s last work day with the City will be on Oct. 24.

Maldonado is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and also holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Southern California. He started working for the City as a student intern and worked his way up to Administrative Analyst and ultimately to Deputy City Manager. 

Maldonado oversaw Labor Relations, the City’s Safety Program, Parking Facilities and served as the City’s Risk Manager. He also oversaw the City’s Social Services Grant Program, served as the City’s liaison with the Homeless Action Partnership , and oversaw the City’s Public Television station. 

“Mr. Maldonado brought about great improvements to the City’s Safety and Risk Management Programs," City Manager Carlos Palacios said in a prepared statement. "Perhaps his greatest achievements were his work on facilitating the complete renovation of the Mona Lisa Mobile Home Park and improvements to the Pajaro Valley’s Homeless services programs. In addition, I’m especially thankful to Mario’s willingness to play a leadership role in labor negotiations during the past four very difficult budget years. It’s a difficult role which he carried out with the utmost professionalism and integrity. I am very thankful to him and he has served the Watsonville community well.” 

Palacios also announced that he will not be filling Maldonado’s position as a budget-saving. The workload will be taken on by existing staff. This is the third Department Head position left vacant in recent years in the City of Watsonville.