College Station will be looking for its third city manager in three years.
David Neeley joined the city as an assistant manager in 2008 then took over as city manager in February 2011 following the retirement of Glenn Brown.
Neeley was involved in four years of budget cuts that reduced spending by more than $7 milllion dollars and removed more than 50 positions from the city payroll.
Neeley leaving one month shy of his second anniversary as city manager came sooner than expected according to Mayor Nancy Berry. Through a city news release, Berry expects the council will try to hire him as a consultant on economic development projects including the biocorridor and medical district.
WTAW’s Bill Oliver visits with David Neeley.
News release courtesy of the City of College Station:
City Manager David Neeley has announced that he will formally leave the City of College Station organization effective Jan. 11, 2013, about two years after assuming those duties.
After nearly 35 years in city government, Neeley expressed a desire to continue working, but on the next chapter of his life.
“When I came to College Station as an assistant city manager in 2008, I intended to serve in that role for three to five years and help this fast-growing city however I could,” Neeley said. “It’s been about four years and I’m ready to explore other opportunities. Those might include a return to consulting work, or even something outside of municipal government.”
After briefly serving as interim city manager following the retirement of Glenn Brown, Neeley assumed the role of city manager in February 2011.
The city made striking, sometimes difficult, changes under Neeley’s leadership, fueled both by national economic influences and by what he felt was a need to create a leaner and more-efficient organization.
Neeley as city manager
Asked to identify key accomplishments under his leadership, Neeley pointed to improved relations between College Station and Bryan, shown through hallmark agreements related to the BioCorridor and shared landfill interests. Other highlights include better communication with College Station’s business community, reallocation of resources to public safety personnel, and bringing the city’s expenses more in line with its revenues.
“We knew we were on borrowed time with David, and had hoped to have him a year or two longer,” Mayor Nancy Berry said. “The entire council felt like he had the right experience at the right time when we hired him. It’s one of the best decisions we made.”
Mayor Berry said she expects the city council to discuss retaining Neeley’s services as a contract project consultant related to several economic development endeavors in which he already has played such a crucial role.
“I think College Station would benefit from David continuing to move us forward with the Medical District, the BioCorridor and other exciting developments that he’s been instrumental in, so far. He’s been at the table, and I’d like the council to discuss keeping him at the table,” Mayor Berry said.
Before coming to College Station in 2008 as assistant city manager, Neeley began in utilities and public works with the City of Plano (1979-1984). Later, he became city manager (1987-2001) for the City of Sugar Land. He holds a degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University. Neeley earns $171,000.
“College Station is one of the most-welcoming and friendliest places I’ve ever lived in,” Neeley said. “Our citizens should know that the men and women who work for the City of College Station are among the finest, most dedicated public servants I’ve ever been around. Great things will continue to happen in College Station, thanks to these employees and their City Council leadership.”