In 2013 the Irving City Council hired a professional search firm to engage in a national search for a new city manager to replace Tommy Gonzales. Gonzales departed after a great deal of conflict with the City Council and among City Council members. Ugly publicity regarding his management style and various actions were shared throughout the community.
The City Council hired Steve McCullough, the former City Manager, as the Interim City Manager, with a six-month contract, several months into the search process. Since that time, McCullough has worked diligently to begin putting an organization riddled with confusion, low employee morale, and poor public perception inside and outside Irving, back together into a cohesive smooth-running city government.
It has been a daunting task, and one that was soon discovered would take longer than six months. Several experienced City Council members, understanding the situation became convinced the City would be better off keeping the Interim for a much longer period. These Council members posted an item for the January council meeting to extend McCullough’s contract an additional 24 months.
However, the mayor pre-empted this meeting by calling special meetings to review the findings of the search firm and to interview five designated by the firm as “finalists.” (The original list of applicants included only 22 names, an unprecedented paucity of applicants for a city like Irving). This list of five was reduced to three. The consideration of McCullough’s contract extension has now been postponed to the Feb. 6 meeting. Whether that vote will be held depends on what the Council will do at another called meeting to be held Jan. 17, to interview the selected three.
Public contact, according to Council members spoken to, and to staff, has run heavily in favor of extending McCullough’s contract. Conversation out in the public uncovers the same sentiments. Anthony Bond, a local activist in the minority community, has said he has found no one in that community or in the broader city who does not favor keeping McCullough a longer period.
“Irving is renewing itself under Steve McCullough’s leadership, “ Bond said. “We have had so much confusion and disharmony for so long, not to mention serious deficiencies in the services to our residents, that the stability Steve has brought us is too valuable to lose right now. We need to let him complete the reorganization the Council assigned him, complete the next year’s budget process which is already underway, and shepherd through some of the larger projects in progress.”
Indeed employees are much happier today than a few months ago. Two City employees we spoke to, who asked to remain anonymous, were clear. Both said McCullough has brought stability and harmony back to Irving City Hall. Neither expects him to be a long-term employee, but both said they felt a tenure longer than six months would be beneficial. Both agreed there will be disagreements with McCullough’s decisions just like with any manager.
“The difference,” said one, “is that we trust Steve McCullough and believe he means what is best for us and what is right for the City.”
In fact, one of the most common themes one hears in the community as well as from the employees is Steve McCullough is a person of unquestioned integrity, and one who knows the ropes. There is no question the City Council will hire a new city manager at some point, perhaps one on the current list.
The question is whether it will be sooner or later.
