Guadalupe has found its latest city administrator from within the ranks months after the departure of his predecessor who has already left a new job in San Bernardino County.

David Trujillo, 44,  initially was hired as Guadalupe’s public works director in February 2025, and became interim administrator late last fall.

After a search for a new leader, the City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved his three-year employment agreement for Trujillo to lead city staff.

“It’s a great honor to take this position and try to help move this city forward,” Trujillo said. “As we’ve seen tonight, we have a lot of work to do but I think we have the team that can do it.”

He also noted the City Council’s support.

“I think we owe it to this community to give this community what it deserves, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to do that,” Trujillo said. 

Mayor Ariston Julian said he had received positive comments from members of the public who had interactions with Trujillo at City Hall and supported his hiring for the top job. 

Julian recalled one comment regarding Trujillo’s candidacy for city administrator being “Just go with it because you wouldn’t get any better.”

Trujillo starts his new job as the small city in the northwest corner of Santa Barbara County faces a significant financial shortfall. 

The city also is in the midst of a major makeover of its historic Royal Theater in downtown, renovation of Las Mujeres Park (formerly Central Park), a project at the Amtrak and transit station, and multiple road improvement projects with Caltrans.

Prior to joining Guadalupe’s staff, Trujillo worked for nine years for the state including holding the positions of budget analyst and construction supervisor.

He also served for nearly 24 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve before retiring in March 2024 at the rank of master sergeant.

He earned a political science degree from Arizona State University. 

His contract, set to expire March 31, 2029, will pay him an annual salary of $180,000 plus 6% salary hikes for the next two years, contingent upon satisfactory performance reviews. 

He received health and life insurance plus participation in a deferred compensation plan along with vacation, sick leave and holidays like other non-safety employees in the city. However, he also will get 80 hours of annual administrative leave.

In addition to the enrollment in the retirement plan, Trujillo’s contract called $5,000 for professional development along with a car allowance or city vehicle access. 

If his contract is terminated, Trujillo will receive six months of salary plus health benefits for only him. 

Trujillo replaced Todd Bodem, who left Guadalupe’s top job late last year for a job as the town manager in Apple Valley. 

However, Bodem has since departed the job in Apple Valley. In a press release, city officials said on March 11 that he left to deal with “personal matters.”

The fact Bodem entered into a separation and release agreement plus received a six-month severance package points to the departure not being his choice. 

Bodem initially went on leave starting March 13 with his separation taking effect March 31.

After meeting in closed session to discuss the 90-day employee performance evaluation, the Apple Valley Town Council said Bodem would receive $145,002 plus six months of health benefits.

In exchange, Bodem provided the town with a release and waiver from future legal claims.

Before being hired in Guadalupe, Bodem worked as city administrator from 2014 to 2018 for Sand City in Monterey County. 

He also worked for several cities and a county in Minnesota plus spent five years in real estate land development.