City clerk to retire by end of month

Long time Madera City Clerk Sonia Alvarez has announced her decision to retire at the end of March, according to Madera City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez.

Alvarez had at least 27 years of combined employment with the city.

The City Council made the decision Wednesday night to fill the position temporarily from the existing city staff, and encouraged any interested staff members to apply. The council also encouraged Rodriguez to shortly begin a wider public recruitment to advertise the position.

Alvarez’s retirement comes only weeks after the abrupt departure of City Attorney Brent Richardson and reportedly intense contract negotiations by the City Council, and public pressure to reduce overall salaries and benefits for senior city staff.