Elena Reyes has a clear vision for Manteca.
The city manager, who has been on the job for two months, told Manteca Rotarians meeting Thursday at Ernie’s Rendezvous Room that she wants to work to make the City of Manteca “second to none.”
Her vision for Manteca includes:
premium quality of life.
a safe and prosperous city.
making the city a destination location.
growing the educated and tech workforce.
creating a vibrant downtown.
stressing innovation.
What she has put on her plate for 2017 includes the city’s first State of the City event, breaking ground on the waterpark resort/convention center project, and advancing quality industrial and residential development.
Along with that vision she said her overarching goals are:
enhancing public safety.
strengthening the city’s finances.
developing a strong economic development program.
focusing on workforce development.
reducing Manteca’s unemployment rate that was at 7.8 percent as of Sept. 16.
developing the city’s municipal workforce further that’s she said is already solid and professional.
strengthening public/private partnerships.
enhancing collaborative local and regional partnerships.
Reyes noted that with more than 70,000 plus daily commuters heading over the Altamont Pass from San Joaquin County that Manteca already has access to a tech savvy workforce that could be used to leverage jobs here.
She pointed out that in turn reduces traffic congestion, improves air quality by reducing the length of vehicle trips, and improves the quality of life for current commuters.
 Reyes said Manteca is already on the right track thanks to its municipal workforce and improving economy that allowed the city’s general fund budget this fiscal year to increase by 7.3 percent to $34.9 million for day-to-day operations. Once sewer, water, and garbage services as well as capital improvement projects funded by growth fees, grants, and residual redevelopment agency bond proceeds are tossed into the mix the city’s overall budget is $162.1 million.
Reyes, a Lathrop resident that is a 1974 East Union High graduate, brings with her 15 years in private business and 17 years in public administration.
Her focus areas during her tenure at San Joaquin County included economic development, water resourced including the Delta and flood protection, agriculture, human resources, and veteran affairs among others.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com