Former Bryan City Manager David Watkins is moving to Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Watkins, who was recently hired as city manager, starts his new job next month.
Watkins and his wife Kay had been working in The Woodlands selling real estate, where he says he “was having a blast” and could have easily moved to Lake Conroe.
That changed after applying for the Hot Springs position on the recommendation of former Bryan Mayor Ron Blatchley.
Watkins says he is very comfortable with the expectations of Hot Springs’ Mayor and the city’s elected body, which is called the Board of Directors.
Watkins says “the board and the mayor were very upfront that they’ve got some issues dealing with transparency, open government, economic development, there’s some differing opinions on the goals of Hot Springs. And they want me to be frank and candid. They don’t want spin. They want me to come in and assess where they are and where I think they should go.”
Watkins says while Hot Springs population is 37,000, the trade area population is over 200,000. Hot Springs provides utility service outside its city limits without any condition of annexation.
Like Bryan/College Station, Watkins says Hot Springs residents “want to know when they dial 911, professionals show up and take care of their public safety. When they turn on the lights the lights come on. When they turn on the water faucet clean water comes out. They want to make sure that decisions are thought out and debated and the public has input and decisions are made and explained…because that’s want people in Hot Springs want.”
Watkins says he will always have fond memories of Bryan and will monitor future events. “The City of Bryan is blessed with having people who are dedicated to working for the citizens and taxpayers. It’s one of the hardest working groups I’ve ever been around and I will always remember that.”
David Watkins visits with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.