© 2016 Chris Hartung Consulting, LLC 1

The City Commission of Vernon, Texas

is inviting applications from experienced

city management professionals for the

position of

City Manager

The City of Vernon, Texas is in Wilbarger County 50

miles west of Wichita Falls, and had a population of

11,660 residents as of 2016. Vernon is the county

seat of Wilbarger County. The City is located on the

route of the Great Western Cattle Trail which paral-

leled the Chisholm Trail during the late 1800’s. The

historic proximity to the Western Trail is symbolic as

Vernon is centrally located in the North Texas,

Southwestern Oklahoma region of the United States,

approximately half-way between Amarillo and the

Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex on U.S. 287. Vernon

has four major highways intersecting the city. U.S.

Highway 287, 183, 283 and 70 all go straight through

town,

The original town was called Eagle Springs by the

Tonkawa Indians as early as 1858. After the Ameri-

can Civil War, more settlers began moving in the

area, and in 1880 they applied for a post office as

Eagle Flat. However, the U.S. Post Office rejected

the name, saying too many Texas towns were already

called Eagle something. The town then chose the

name Vernon, after George Washington's home, Mount Vernon.

Major businesses and industries in Vernon include a Tyson Foods bacon processing plant, a Rhodia, Inc. guar processing plant, North

Texas State Hospital, which is operated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (an agency of the Texas Health and Human

Services System), and the Texas AgriLife (Texas A&M System) Research and Extension Center.

The nearby Waggoner Ranch holds the distinction of being the largest spread in Texas under one fence. The ranch remains operational,

with business in petroleum, farming, horses, and cattle. The Waggoner produces some of the best ranch horses in Texas, many from the

breeding of the quarter horse Poco Bueno. According to the wishes of E. Paul Waggoner, Poco Bueno is buried in a standing position

on the corner at the main entrance to the ranch.

Vernon is known for several community events including the Texas Best Shindig held in conjunction with the Seventh Annual Red Riv-

er BBQ Battle & Baconfest, an officially sanctioned Texas State Championship BBQ Competition. Other events include the four-day

Santa Rosa Roundup rodeo in May, which is sponsored by the local Santa Rosa Palomino Club and Summer's Last Blast, which is held

the second weekend of August every year. Events are held at the Santa Rosa Rodeo Grounds and the Wilbarger Covered Events Center.

Vernon is also home to four city parks for outdoor recreation and only a short drive from Lake Kemp and Copper Break State Park

which offers camping, picnicking, boating, fishing and more. Hill Crest Country Club offers a nine-hole golf course on 84 acres, three

tennis courts and a swimming pool. For the history buff the Red River Valley Museum can bring out the adventure in learning with ex-

hibits and historical sites that celebrate the rich and vivid history of Vernon.

© 2016 Chris Hartung Consulting, LLC 2

Community (Cont’d.)

The Vernon Independent School District consists of three

elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

The district focuses on academics, extracurricular activities

and citizenship for students to obtain the best education

possible. In addition to academics the district also offers

students the chance to participate in fine art programs, ca-

reer and technical programs as well as academic contests.

For those looking for continuing education, Vernon College

is a fully accredited two-year community college right here

in the city. Offering academic transfer programs and career

and technology education programs, the college prepares

students for future employment or transfer to a four-year

college or university.

Wilbarger General Hospital is a 47-bed, acute care hospital

dedicated to the care of the people in Vernon and Wilbarger

County. The hospital boasts an extensive number of special-

ties as well as a Level IV Trauma Center and a 24-hour Emergency Department.

North Texas State Hospital (NTSH) is the largest psychiatric hospital in Texas. The Vernon campus provides in-patient services to chil-

dren and adults for the entire state. NTSH works to help patients recover from mental illness, so they can fully assume the responsibili-

ties of citizenship and enjoy all its benefits.

Governance:

Vernon is governed by a Mayor and four City Commissioners operating under a Home Rule Charter as a Commission/City Manager

form of government. The four Commissioners are elected at large from individual precincts for two-year terms. As defined by the City

Charter, Commissioner members 1 & 3 must reside in west Vernon and Commissioner members 2 & 4 must reside in east Vernon.

The current City Commission is composed of the following mem-

bers:

Mayor Joe Rogers is serving in his second term as Mayor. He is a

business owner who is involved in the hotel business.

Precinct One Commissioner Guy Spears was elected to the Com-

mission in May, 2016. He is in farming and ranching.

Precinct Two Commissioner Ruben Hinojosa is serving his second

term, being re-elected in May, 2016. He works for United Parcel

Service.

Mayor Pro-Tem and Precinct Three Commissioner Travis Taylor

has served on the Commission for eight years. He is the owner of a

paint and body shop.

Precinct Four Commissioner Britt Ferguson has served on the

Commission for two years. He owns a grain elevator and is in

farming and ranching.

The Position:

The City Commission appoints a City Manager to be the chief ad-

ministrative and executive officer of the City. The City Manager

serves at the will of the City Commission and is responsible for

effectively administering the affairs of the City in accordance with

City Commission policies and federal and state laws in all matters

regarding the City’s utilities, finance/human resources, public

© 2016 Chris Hartung Consulting, LLC 3

works, planning, engineering, fire/EMS, building, police, parks &

recreation and cemetery. The City Manager oversees an organiza-

tion with 90 authorized positions and an annual operating budget

for 2016-2017 of $13,015,569.

The City of Vernon owns 41 wells which provide drinking water.

Twenty-six wells which provide the primary source of drinking

water are located in a well field which is 16 miles from the City

tapping into the Seymour Aquifer. 15 wells are located in the city

and are only used in emergencies. A 24” water line connects the

well field to the City distribution system. This line is 60 years old

and needs replacement. The Vernon Fire Department provides

fire and EMS services to areas of Wilbarger County outside of the

City under an agreement with the County. Sanitation service is

provided through a contract.

The City has adopted the Type A economic development ½ cent sales tax which is administered by the Business Development Corpo-

ration of Vernon.

Personal Qualities:

In discussing the background, qualifications and personal characteristics which the Commission members felt would be important for

the next City Manager, they mentioned experience with the operations of a city government similar in size to Vernon along with strong

financial management knowledge and an ability to relate to employees at all levels of the organization as well as members of the com-

munity.

The next City Manager should have all or most of the following additional characteristics:

A proven record as a team player who applies personal ethics that reflect honesty and integrity in all relationships to establish an

example to staff and citizens alike.

A history of being fiscally conservative, with a working knowledge of municipal financial management and experience in preparing

a budget of similar size and complexity to the City of Vernon.

The ability to see the “big picture” and antici-

pate the future impact of decisions.

Strong organizational and management skills

with a reputation as a creative problem solver.

A demonstrated ability to implement ideas by

recognizing and involving stakeholders in deci-

sion-making.

A record of the successful application of eco-

nomic developmental tools authorized under

Texas law.

A reputation for being a good listener who is

approachable and has an ability to communi-

cate successfully with Commission members

and employees at all levels of the organization.

The capacity to apply policy in a fair and con-

sistent manner.

An ability to select, develop, and motivate staff

to achieve high performance while encouraging and creating a “customer friendly” environment.

An effective delegator who does not micromanage subordinates.

A reputation for being politically savvy, but being able to remain apolitical regarding issues being dealt with by the Commission.

The Commission is seeking candidates who would see Vernon as a good career opportunity and who would look forward to becoming

an active member of the Vernon community.

© 2016 Chris Hartung Consulting, LLC 4

Initial Priorities:

The City Commission will expect the new City Manager to give priority to the following issues.

Water Supply Issues-The City is making plans to replace the water line connecting the well field with the City system. Negotiations

with the Texas Water Development Board for financing are underway and an engineering firm has been retained to design the new

water line. The Commission is also considering options for financing the City share of the construction cost. In addition, the Texas

Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has ordered the City to acquire an additional 150’ of property for an easement

around the well field. The Commission members will expect the new City Manager to become familiar with these important issues

and take the lead in bringing these projects to a successful conclusion.

Downtown Redevelopment-City Commission members voiced concerned about the number of vacant and deteriorating buildings

located in the historic downtown area of Vernon. The new City Manager will be expected to develop plans to address this issue.

Financial Management-The City has recovered from a financial crisis which occurred several years ago. The City Commission is

discussing a long term financial strategy to insure the City’s continuing financial stability. They will expect to new City Manager to

quickly become familiar with the City’s financial situation and develop recommendations for policies in areas of operating reserves,

budget strategies, etc. to support that goal.

Minimum Qualifications: The City Commission is seeking candidates who have at least five years of experience as a city manager, city administrator, assistant city

manager/administrator or senior manager in an organization of comparable size and complexity to the City of Vernon. This position

requires a Bachelor’s Degree in public administration or a related field.

Compensation:

The starting salary is open and will depend upon background and qualifications of the successful candidate. The city benefits package

includes medical, dental, and life insurance. The City participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System. The City provides sick

leave, vacation and holidays.

To Apply:

Send an electronic version of your current resume, salary history and a list of ten work-related references (including supervisory) with

phone numbers ASAP to G. Chris Hartung at jobsearch@chcpublicsectorsolutions.com. The first review of candidates will be Decem-

ber 10, 2016. Candidates will be referred to the City Commission in February, 2017 for interviews in Vernon.

Applicants for this position selected as finalists will be subject to a background review prior to interview. Under the Texas Public Infor-

mation Act, information from your resume may be subject to release to the public.