Manuel Chavez Named Del Rio City Manager After Years in City Government

DEL RIO, Texas — After years of helping run Del Rio from behind the scenes — and repeatedly stepping into the city’s top administrative position when needed — Manuel Chavez is now officially the city manager.

Following an executive session Tuesday night, the Del Rio City Council voted to name Chavez city manager effective immediately, with salary and benefits still subject to contract negotiations.

“I would like to make a motion to name Mr. Manuel Chavez as our city manager … effective tonight and pending the contract negotiations,” Councilman Leno Hernandez said before the vote.

A familiar face takes permanent responsibility

Chavez is not an outside hire learning Del Rio from scratch. City records show he has served in multiple senior roles over more than two decades, including finance director, operations director and assistant city manager. He has also served as interim city manager on at least three documented occasions — in 2018-19, again in 2024 following John Sheedy’s resignation, and most recently beginning in March 2026 after Shawna Burkhart’s departure.

That history means Chavez already knows many of the issues now becoming his permanent responsibility.

Under Del Rio’s council-manager form of government, the City Council sets policy and adopts the budget, while the city manager serves as the city’s chief administrator — overseeing departments, carrying out council decisions, administering the budget and keeping council informed about the city’s financial condition and future needs.

A city balancing growth, debt and major projects

Chavez takes the permanent position as Del Rio moves through a period of significant infrastructure spending.

On the same night he was appointed, council moved forward with $11.02 million in water-system financing — $7.83 million for a new municipal water well and related improvements and $3.19 million for expansion of the water treatment plant. City financial advisers said the debt will be supported through water and sewer rates and described Del Rio’s financial metrics and AA-minus bond ratings as healthy.

The city is also carrying significant existing debt obligations while simultaneously trying to reduce portions of its property-tax-supported debt. Advisers projected approximately $6.82 million in debt-service payments for fiscal year 2027, while telling council there was adequate capacity to make those payments.

Chavez also takes over permanently while police and fire compensation remain active issues, major capital projects continue across the city and Del Rio works through long-term water and infrastructure needs.

For Chavez, the appointment represents less of a transition into an unfamiliar job and more of a shift from longtime administrator and repeated interim leader to the person now permanently responsible for carrying City Council policy into action.