Lathrop City Manager Steve Salvatore helped lead the City of Lathrop out of the ruin of the collapse of the housing market and has overseen its rise to one of – if not, the – fastest growing cities in the State of California.

And he’s now getting some much-needed help.

Earlier this month the Lathrop City Council voted to create the new position of Deputy City Manager – with an annual base salary ranging from $184,977 to $224,840 plus a benefits and retirement package that could add an additional $75,000 annually.

According to the staff report prepared for the council, Lathrop’s recent run of unprecedented growth – from the millions of square feet of light industrial buildings or the thousands of new homes to City Hall itself growing to 177 full time employees with the addition of the police department – has prompted the city to look at ways to support its existing operations.

With the council’s approval, the currently unfilled deputy finance director position will be eliminated and the money that was allocated for that position will be rolled over towards the salary of the new deputy city manager.

Because the city’s staff has grown so significantly – Lathrop had 95 fulltime employees in 2020 and that number would grow to almost 180 with the addition of the Lathrop Police Department and the personnel needed to support it.

With the additional staff and the additional department, the staff report said, came the need for additional oversight given the “complex day to day matters” that are typical of an organization like a police department. Having that additional person would provide administrative flexibility and allow for the day-to-day operation of the city to continue uninterrupted.

Since the deputy finance director position was already funded in the previous budget cycle, the council only had to authorize an increase for $51,694 to offset the difference.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.