Jeremy Damas, the city’s Public Works Director, has retired from his post, creating yet another vacancy that must be filled.

“He will definitely leave a big gap in our city organization,” said Councilwoman Linda Ryno.

Damas was the water superintendent in 2011 when he helped guide the city into a water metering program mandated by state law.

Ryno believed Damas has been with the city for 11 or 12 years and noted “in that amount of time he has responded to a lot of problems we’ve had in Ceres and I would like to thank him for always trying to be as responsive as possible.”

She said Jeremy “has a lot of historical knowledge that is leaving with him.”

Damas was responsible for a large number of critical programs in Ceres and over the years managed the street tree program, water conservation and water quality standards, park maintenance and park development, and sewer operations. Most recently he helped to guide the city to meet recycling mandates issued by the state and the introduction of the third waste can to Ceres households.

Also retired as of Dec. 31 was Terry Turner, the city’s wastewater treatment supervisor. He had been with the city nearly 30 years, working his way up from operator.

The city’s Economic and Redevelopment Manager, Steve Hallam was scheduled to retire Dec. 31 but agreed to stay on if a replacement isn’t found. Hallam has been working remotely but Ryno said he has done more than his predecessors.

Hallam was hired in 2014.