In an effort to stabilize the administrative structure of the City of Bandera, an interim city administrator has been appointed to bridge the gap until a permanent candidate can be found. Richard Morton, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience working with various cities, has taken up the responsibility.
Morton's illustrious career includes a successful stint as the city manager of Odessa, where he served for 15 years, preceded by four years as the assistant to the city manager. Following his retirement, he took on the role of interim city manager in multiple cities, such as Bay City, Port Lavaca, Alvarado, and Rockport. He has also worked for other notable municipalities, including Sugar Land and Bryan.
Recommended by Bandera City Attorney Dan Santee, Morton assumed his position on Wednesday, July 5, and has expressed his willingness to stay as long as the council requires. Typically, interim appointments last for a period of three to six or seven months. Morton emphasized his commitment to the mayor and council as a collective entity while also acknowledging the importance of understanding each individual's perspective on the city's issues and their appreciation for Bandera.
"The City of Bandera has had eight administrators in eight years. I need to know why they think there has been such a high turnover," Morton stated, highlighting the urgency to address the persistent challenges faced by the city administration.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of Bandera and its workforce, Morton plans to conduct interviews with every employee and solicit their thoughts on the current state of affairs. He aims to evaluate the existing administrative structure and provide valuable insights during the process of hiring a permanent city administrator, ensuring the selection of the right candidate for the position. Acknowledging his need to familiarize himself with Bandera, Morton emphasized his dedication to learning about the unique dynamics of the city.
Morton's compensation for his role as interim city administrator is set at an hourly rate of $78.75 for a minimum of 40 hours per week. Additionally, he will receive housing benefits and mileage reimbursement to travel to his home on Cedar Creek Lake in the City of Star Harbor twice a month.
