The city of Mercedes and Mission Economic Development Corporation have both selected Altiva Management Group of Edinburg to run their searches. Altiva is conducting Mercedes' city manager search and the Mission EDC's search for a chief executive officer. Records show each contract carries a flat professional fee of $25,000, paid in four installments of $6,250 tied to delivered milestones.
Under both contracts, Altiva will conduct a replacement search at no additional cost if the hired city manager or CEO leaves voluntarily or is separated for cause within 12 months of starting. If Mercedes or Mission EDC decides no finalist fits, Altiva will reopen the search on the same terms, with no additional fee and no costs billed to either entity.
Ramiro Garza Jr., a managing partner at Altiva and the former mayor of Edinburg, is the principal in charge and point of contact for each entity until the selected officials start work. Sandra Y. Alaniz, also a managing partner and vice president of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, is directing the recruitment, interview logistics and status reporting. The contract states neither may be replaced without written consent from the entities. Altiva announced its selection last month.