Merced official leaving for Tuolumne County job

Merced’s development services director will leave the city for a job in Tuolumne County, he announced in a news release Monday.

David Gonzalves, who has worked in Merced since 2007, will start as Tuolumne’s community resources agency director Jan. 3.

“While leaving my position was a difficult choice, the opportunity to serve in a mountain community is such a unique opportunity that it was impossible not to accept this position,” he said in the statement.

Plans to fill the position of development services director have not been announced by Merced city leaders. Gonzalves succeeds Bev Shane, who has been with Tuolumne County for 36 years and will be retiring in mid-January, officials said.

“Tuolumne County is lucky to be getting a person of such high caliber for the development community,” Merced City Manager Steve Carrigan said. “While in Merced, David Gonzalves showed he has the depth of skills to facilitate businesses, train staff and work with elected officials.”

Gonzalves was chosen from a field of 22 candidates, according to Craig Pedro, Tuolumne County administrator. He was the top-ranked candidate among three rating panels, Pedro said, and has 26 years of experience in the public sector.

“Mr. Gonzalves’ move and assimilation into our community will be made easier as he and his wife already own a second home in the Twain Harte area,” Pedro said in a statement.

Gonzalves will make $152,590 a year, plus benefits, in his new position, according to records. He made $128,319, plus benefits, in 2015 in Merced, according to Transparent California.

The contract is on the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors’ agenda for Dec. 6.

This story was originally published November 28, 2016 at 1:31 PM with the headline "Merced official leaving for Tuolumne County job."