PORTAGE | Craig Hendrix will be returning to the city in his role as director of public works and city engineer.

Hendrix, who spent eight years in the role for Portage, left at the end of 2007 to take a job with American Structurepoint.

Mayor Olga Velazquez said that despite his leaving, he has continued working with the city.

"We have been working together on the possibility of potential projects in his role with American Structure. The company was very accommodating in making Craig available. They lent us Craig when it was necessary," she said.

She and Hendrix recently began discussing his return to the city after difficulties in finding someone to fill the job.

"I interviewed people from four states and had offered the position to four people," said Velazquez, adding the offers were not taken because of salary, benefit and relocation issues.

"Craig felt a loyalty to the city and wanted the opportunity to see some of the projects he had envisioned completed," Velazquez said.

Hendrix was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Velazquez said the benefit of Hendrix returning to the city will be his familiarity with the issues and the ongoing projects.

Part of the negotiations was an increase in salary. The City Council this week approved boosting the annual salary for director of public works and city engineer by about $7,500 from the previous salary. The salary was increased to $89,178. A portion of the increases are through the Redevelopment Commission and Water Reclamation Board and still must be approved by those boards.

"I saw that issue with other candidates. I wanted to make it attractive to him," said Velazquez, adding Hendrix is taking a salary cut to return to the city.