Maverick County Collections Department Head Ruben Montemayor terminated by County Judge David R. Saucedo

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016

Maverick County Collections Department Head Ruben Montemayor was terminated on Friday, January 8, 2016, by County Judge David R. Saucedo according to a written letter signed by Judge Saucedo and hand delivered to Montemayor.

According to the letter, Montemayor services were terminated effective Friday, January 8, 2016.

The newly posted agenda for the Maverick County Commissioners Court meeting for Monday, January 11, 2016, at 5 P.M. has agenda item number 19 regarding “discussion and possible action on the promotion of Linda Schmerber to Administrative Assistant/Collection Officer and to perform duties as Department Head at a salary of $34,000 effective January 11, 2016.”

Based on the agenda, County Judge Saucedo is tapping his administrative assistant Linda Schmerber to replace Ruben Montemayor and/or head the Maverick County Collections Department.

More information on Montemayor’s termination may be shed at Maverick County Commissioners Court meeting on Monday, January 11, 2016, at 5 P.M.  The Commissioners Court meeting is open to the public.

UPDATE

Maverick County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the appointment of Linda Schmerber as the new County Collections Department Head and Administrative Assistant at their January 11, 2016 meeting.  

County Judge David R. Saucedo opened up discussion on Agenda Item No. 19 concerning the promotion of Linda Schmerber to Administrative Assistant/Collection Officer.  County Commissioner Precinct 1 Jerry Morales questioned Judge Saucedo if the Collection Officer position was going to be filled.  Judge Saucedo replied that Linda Schmerber was going to add to her existing Administrative Assistant duties the work of County Collection Officer for a slight pay raise of $5,000.  Judge Saucedo noted that an additional person would need to be hired to assist Schmerber with the County Collection Department work.  

Judge Saucedo added that the County was going to save some money by appointing Schmerber as County Collection Officer and hiring an assistant for her to help with the Collections Department workload.  Judge Saucedo noted the new assistant for Schmerber would more than likely go through the Maverick County Human Resources Department under the leadership of Jesus Sanchez unlike Schmerber’s position  was not.

Maverick County military veterans and taxpayers expressed concerns that Commissioners Court does not advertise nor open for competition important county department head positions, denying them the opportunity to apply and compete for the public job positions.