Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Puerto Vallarta City Council approved a comprehensive reform to the Municipal Government Regulations last week, ushering in a series of structural changes designed to modernize city administration and provide greater security for public servants.
This legislative overhaul, led by Mayor Luis Munguía, aims to streamline operations by eliminating more than 150 obsolete job titles while establishing fewer than 20 new roles. According to Lucía Carmina Michel, the Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer, these adjustments are a move toward transparency and long-term organizational efficiency.
A primary focus of the reform is the formalization of high-risk essential service roles. Specifically, 41 firefighters and 10 lifeguards from the Civil Protection and Fire Department will transition from temporary status to the permanent payroll. This shift provides these first responders and their families with essential job benefits and stability that match the critical nature of their daily duties.
This momentum toward professionalization extends into the local police force, where 43 officers are set for promotion. The move addresses a three-year stagnation in personnel growth and career advancement.
By filling positions ranging from deputy director to second- and third-class officers in both the operational and traffic divisions, the city is clearing a significant backlog in the police career system. Promotions will be granted to those who successfully pass the required exams and performance evaluations, effectively strengthening the overall capabilities of the department.
The reform also resolves long-standing legal complexities regarding 90 employees who were previously reinstated following legal settlements. While these individuals had returned to work, their positions had not been formally integrated into the municipal structure. The new regulations officially recognize their roles, finally granting them access to the full suite of rights and benefits owed to municipal workers.
To ensure these administrative shifts remained fair to the existing workforce, the City Hall Workers’ Union was consulted throughout the process. The dialogue resulted in a 10% salary increase for union members, intended to acknowledge their ongoing dedication to the city. Union leadership confirmed that the elimination of outdated roles would not negatively impact current rank-and-file employees, as the focus remains on redistributing resources toward active service.
While many positions were cut to reduce redundancy, the reform introduces several new management branches to meet modern governance needs. These include the Management of Organization and Strengthening of the Public Service; Social Communication and Government Strategy; and a department dedicated to Equity, Substantive Equality, Health, and Care.
These new divisions, along with the five new directorates and various sub-directorates, are intended to create a more responsive and specialized government framework for the citizens of Puerto Vallarta.
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