Fallon Martin is Ceres’ new city clerk, replacing Diane Nayares-Perez who left for a Modesto position.

Martin was introduced at the June 27 Ceres City Council meeting as coming into the role with 18 years of municipal government experience. She served with the city of Turlock for nearly 16 years in a number of positions, including finance and regulatory compliance.  Martin was once the city of Turlock’s Municipal Services Analyst. Most recently she was employed with the city of Manteca where she was executive assistant to the city manager.

“We’re excited to welcome her and her wealth of knowledge she brings,” said City Manager Alex Terrazas.

Martin said she was honored and thankful to be hired and looks forward to working with the council, city staff and the community.

As the city clerk Martin will be in charge of assembling council agendas, taking minutes at council meetings, overseeing candidates for city office, assisting the city manager and other key duties.

“I’m hitting the ground running,” said Martin, who will be soon engaging with prospective candidates for three seats on the Ceres City Council that will be filled in the Nov. 8 election. “No time for acclamation but that’s what makes it exciting.”

Martin started working part-time for Turlock in 2004 doing clerical work in the building department. Within a month she was working full-time in various departments.

“That’s where I got a lot of my experience just going through all these different departments and understanding how the city works as a whole and how every department interacts with one another.”

Martin said she enjoys cyclical work and processes which can be mundane yet different depending on circumstances. She also said her job is rewarding as she enjoys serving the public and “feeling like you’re making a community better.”

Nayares-Perez had served as city clerk from 2016 to this past April.

A significant number of staff changes have taken place at City Hall over the past year. City Manager Tom Westbrook resigned nearly a year ago and was replaced by Alex Terrazas. City Engineer Daniel Padilla quit his post in June 2021 and was recently replaced by Kevin Waugh. Christopher Hoem was hired as Ceres’ Community Development director because Westbrook was doing that job and city manager and was leaving. Jeremy Damas resigned on Dec. 31 as Public Works director. And in April Councilwoman Linda Ryno resigned in protest of the direction of the Javier Lopez council.

The city is also on the hunt for a new Economic Development manager since Anthony Sims resigned after being on the job for five months.