Newsletter

September 2019

Wanted: Talent Development
Management Transitions
New Members
New Member Applications
ICMA News to Know
TCMA Educational Events
Memos on Meetings

Wanted: Talent Development

The TCMA City Managers of Tomorrow Committee has been developing a coordinated internship program for students across the state who are considering internships and careers in local government. To this end, we are pleased to announce a dedicated “Internship/Fellowship” category in the TML Career Center. Students will soon be encouraged to make this their go-to resource for local government internships in Texas. TCMA hopes to have a large number of city internships from which to choose. 

Timing Is Critical
The Committee has learned from recent student focus groups that it is imperative that cities post their internship opportunities early in the semester (e.g. January/February). Without a healthy number of city internships to choose from, students will turn to the nonprofit or private sector for internships. This results in a loss of great talent from our profession.

Below are types of internships and fellowships for your city to consider and post in the TML Career Center. All positions can be posted complimentary. 

Paid Versus Unpaid
Students typically prefer to be paid for their internships, but for some cities, this isn't an option.  Consider partnering with your local university. For example, the university would pay $1,500 per intern per semester. Local governments would match this amount dollar for dollar, thus creating a $3,000 per semester internship wage. 

Micro-Internships
Because not every city can afford or has enough work for a full-time intern, your city could develop a “micro-internship.” These opportunities are project-based versus time-based. They cater to executive or online MPA students or traditional MPA students who want to work from home. The student will inquire about the number of hours for a micro-internship, so posting the number of hours is important.

Fellowships
If your city offers year-long or multi-year fellowships, please place these opportunities in the TML Career Center as well. You may also engage with ICMA or Lead 4 America to develop a fellowship program in your city. 

If you need assistance or have questions regarding posting positions, email careercenter@tml.org. 

The Committee thanks the membership for their support to develop talent and provide knowledge and skills for careers in local government. Please share this information with your human resources staff.

MANAGEMENT TRANSITIONS

Greg Albright is no longer the city administrator of the City of Liberty Hill.

Bret Bauer is no longer the city manager of the City of Gun Barrel City. Jeff Arnswald (police chief) is the interim city manager.

Ron Burton is serving as the interim city manager of the City of Port Arthur.

Matt Fielder retired as the city manager of the Town of Pantego. Jim Cox is the interim city manager.

Jessica Garza is no longer the city manager of the City of Alpine. Cynthia Salas is the interim city manager.

John Godwin is no longer the city manager of the City of Paris. Gene Anderson is the interim city manager.

Steve Jones is no longer the city manager of the City of Lakeway. Julie Oakley is the acting city manager.

Mike Kunst is the new city manager of the City of Orange, effective October 1.

Richard Morton is the interim city manager of the City of Bay City.

Ken Roberts is serving as the interim city manager of the City of Karnes City.

Edward Thatcher is the interim city manager of the City of Mount Pleasant.

Robert Wood is no longer the city administrator of the City of West Lake Hills.

New Members

The TCMA Management Messenger welcomes the following new members approved by the Executive Board on August 27, 2019.

Full: Aretha Adams, City Manager, Heath

Associate: Ryan Andrew Cramer, Economic Development Coordinator, La Porte; Juan Joel Garza Jr, MPO Director, Harlingen; Joel Rivera, Chief of Police, Weslaco; Brent A. Walker, Assistant City Manager, Dalhart 

Cooperating: Sam Masiel, Assistant Director of Internal Services, Conroe; Ira Nicodemus, Business Development Manager, Performance Services

Student/Intern: Caylee Rocka, Tarleton State University; Maria Skrut, University of North Texas

New Member Applications

The current TCMA Board policy requires that names of new member applicants be published each month in the Management Messenger. Any written objection during the subsequent 30-day period will be reviewed by the Membership Committee. If no objections are received during this time, the names will be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. Written objections can be mailed to TCMA, Attention: Membership Committee, 1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400, Austin, TX 78754. Applications received in the month of August:

Associate: Kelly Davila, Director of Regional Services & Economic Development, Lubbock; Dustin McAfee, Development Services Director, Celina

ICMA NEWS TO KNOW

2019 Local Government Excellence Award Recipients  

The Management Messenger congratulates the ICMA 2019 Local Government Excellence Award recipients. These individuals will be recognized at the ICMA Annual Conference, October 20-23 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Award for Career Excellence in Memory of Mark E. Keane 
Allen Bogard, City Manager, Sugar Land

Academic Award in Memory of Stephen B. Sweeney 
Howard R. Balanoff, Public Administration Professor, Texas State University 

Distinguished Service Award
Mike Conduff, TCMA Past President

ICMA Community Health & Safety Award - Population 50,000 and Greater 
RIGHT Care Texas, Dallas
T.C. Broadnax, Jr., City Manager
Jon E. Fortune, Assistant City Manager

ICMA Community Partnership Award - Population 50,000 and Greater 
CivTechSA Program, San Antonio
Erik J. Walsh, City Manager

ICMA Community Sustainability Award - Population Under 10,000
Jersey Village Long Term Flood Recovery Plan, Jersey Village
Austin A. Bleess, City Manager

TCMA to Host the Annual Texas Reception in Nashville

If you plan to attend the ICMA Annual Conference on October 23-23  in Nashville, be sure to attend the Texas reception. The reception will be on Monday, October 21, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Dierks Bentely’s Whiskey Row, 400 Broadway in Nashville. The James Carothers Band will be the special guest for the evening.

TCMA Educational Events

Save the Dates!

William “King” Cole 1
January 30-31, 2020
Austin

City Management Clinic
February 27-28, 2020
Granbury

William “King” Cole 2
March 26-27, 2020
Bryan

TCMA Annual Conference
June 4-7, 2020
South Padre Island

#ELGL Inspire: TCMA-ELGL Joint Event

October 2, 2019
The University of Texas-LBJ School of Public Affairs

October 30, 2019
University of Houston

November 13, 2019
Texas A&M University

February 12, 2020
Stephen F. Austin University 

Tex-ICMA Coaching Webinars

Grappling with Gnarly Issues (opioids, homelessness, etc.): How Local Government Can Help
Noon  - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 11

Promoting Trust in a Divisive World
1:00-2:30 p.m., Thursday, October 10

Having Difficult Conversations in Your Organization and Beyond
11:30 a.m.  – 1:00 p.m., Thursday, November 14

Memos on Meetings

The Ethics Committee met on August 9 in Austin. The minutes are available here.

The Equity Task Force met on August 15 in Austin. The minutes are available here. 

The Professional Development Committee is scheduled to meet September 12-13 in South Padre Island.

The Board will meet on September 20 in Austin.

The Membership Committee is scheduled to meet on September 27 in Austin.

The City Managers of Tomorrow Committee will meet via conference call on October 15.