EDINBURG — The city council appointed a new city manager during a special meeting Friday.
Pilar Rodriguez, a former McAllen assistant city manager, will join the city July 2, according to a news release from Edinburg spokeswoman Cary Zayas.
Rodriguez is the second former McAllen employee hired this year. He will join Carla B. Rodriguez, a former grant director in McAllen, recently hired as an assistant city manager.
Neither of the positions were advertised.
Rodriguez will replace former city manager Richard Hinojosa, who abruptly resigned earlier this month just hours before the council was set to discuss his duties and responsibilities.
Edinburg leaders believe Rodriguez will bring “a wealth of knowledge” with him once he takes the reins of the city. Rodriguez, a licensed civil engineer, has worked in a number of public service positions, including director of public works, deputy city engineer and director of traffic. He most recently served as executive director of the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority.
“Mr. Rodriguez was a finalist for the city manager position in Edinburg three years ago,” Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina said in a prepared statement. “It was long overdue that he brings his expertise to Edinburg. The public will not be disappointed with his appointment.”
The new city manager currently serves as a volunteer firefighter, a structural specialist for Texas Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team, and as a team leader for the Texas Public Works Strike Team.
“This council wants to get back to the basics,” Edinburg councilman Gilbert Enriquez stated in the news release. “Mr. Rodriguez will bring the knowledge, stability and guidance Edinburg needs.”
