The Las Cruces City Council today, March 16, 2020, unanimously approved the appointment of David Maestas as Interim City Manager. Maestas immediately began his new duties.
The agreement adopted by the Council for Maestas’ appointment is for an indefinite period at a base annual salary of $160,000. The agreement also stipulates Maestas will have the use of a vehicle in his new position. There is also a provision that Maestas must live within the Las Cruces city limits.
Maestas will serve as Interim City Manager until City Council hires a new City Manager and that person begins employment with the City. The Council will conduct interviews tomorrow, March 17, with finalists for the City Manager’s position.
Maestas has continually worked for the City of Las Cruces since 1990. He has served in various positions in the City government and started as a Co-Operative Education engineering student in the Construction Section of the City’s then Engineering Department.
Upon earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University, Maestas worked for 1½ years as an engineer intern with the New Mexico Department of Transportation, where he was involved in all aspects of a project, including surveying, design, construction, and maintenance.
Maestas returned to the City of Las Cruces in 1995 as a project manager in construction. While working in the City’s Construction Management Section he obtained a Professional Engineer’s license from the State of New Mexico.
Maestas has also served as Contracts Administrator, Transportation Director, Quality of Life Director, from January 2017 to September 2018, and most recently, as Public Works Director since September 2018.
“During my tenure with the City it has been an honor working to provide the best possible customer service to the Council, my co-workers, and our constituents so that we can experience the best work environment and services for the community,” Maestas said.