King City Council chooses Salinas administrator as the new city manager.

King City City Council selected José Arreola as the new city manager in a closed session meeting in December, city officials announced Wednesday, Jan. 7. He will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after leading the city for more than a decade. 

Arreola was selected from a pool of over 30 applicants and was one of eight finalists. 

Arreola is coming from the City of Salinas where he has held various positions in the past 12 years, including assistant to the city manager and community safety program manager. 

Arreola has led efforts in Salinas to eliminate gang violence, which is a priority in King City. He has worked with youth throughout his professional career and was an education specialist for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County and was the principal at Downtown College Preparatory charter school in San Jose.

“José brings a proven track record of building safer communities, where he led groundbreaking violence prevention efforts that reduced crime to 15-year lows and empowered residents,” Mayor Mike LeBarre said in a Jan. 7 press release. “His passion for public safety, education and collaboration aligns perfectly with King City’s values, serving our families, supporting our youth and fostering smart growth in our close-knit town.”

Arreola is bilingual in English and Spanish, and earned a bachelor's degree from San Jose University. He currently lives in Soledad.

“As a father of three and a longtime public servant in the Salinas Valley, it is deeply meaningful to me to serve King City," Arreola said. "I understand the opportunities and challenges facing our region, and I am committed to leading with integrity, collaboration and results. I look forward to partnering with the City Council, staff and community to strengthen safety, deliver critical infrastructure projects and ensure King City continues to grow in a fiscally responsible and community-centered way.”

On Jan. 13 the city council will consider his contract. If everything moves according to plan, his first day on the job is Feb. 23. Arreola’s swearing-in ceremony will be on Feb. 24 at 6pm at King City’s council chambers.