Posted on 01/27/2006 11:59:58 AM PST by anymouse
The longest-tenured city manager in Galveston County is resigning. Friendswood officials confirmed Wednesday that Ronald Cox would step down in April after years on the job.
Cox met Friendswood Mayor Kimball Brizendine last week to inform him of his plan to resign.
“It was a surprise to all of us,” said Brizendine. “We’ve been blessed to have had him for the last 15 years.”
Cox shared the news with the city council in an executive session Monday and his resignation was announced to city employees Tuesday.
The mayor said Cox would pursue opportunities as a private consultant for cities across Texas and the southwestern United States. He said all you have to do is look at Cox’s record to see he could be an asset to the private sector.
Cox, who was in Houston for a seminar Wednesday, did not return calls from The Daily News seeking comment.
Council member Laura Ewing said she was not completely surprised by the announcement.
“In the back of my mind, I always wondered if he would pursue other options,” she said.
She said Cox’s longevity in Friendswood “allowed us to grow in a very positive direction.”
She said she had mixed emotions when she heard he would be leaving.
“I am very happy for him, but I am also very sad, because I have a great deal of respect for Ron Cox,” she said.
She echoed the mayor’s sentiments regarding Cox’s future. She said the connections he has made and the respect he has earned throughout his career make this a good time for him to consider moving on.
“There are many doors that will open for him,” she said.
Cox has been involved in government for 34 years. He took his first position as city manager in Rusk in 1978. He became Friendswood city manager in 1990.
Cox has been active in many area governmental organizations. In 2005, he was awarded the Texas City Management Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Brizendine said he is confident the city will be able to find a suitable replacement by the time Cox steps down. He said the council would get into the initial planning phase of the search in an executive session today.
He said he hopes Cox will play a role in finding a replacement.
“My hope is that he be a facilitator and information provider for that search committee,” Brizendine said.
Friendswood public information officer Nick Haby wanted to make it clear it was Cox’s choice to resign.
“No, he was not pushed out,” he said. “No, he was not fired. It was his decision.”
Haby said he was also surprised to hear the news. He said it would take a while for city employees to get used to the idea.
“We’re still getting our feet underneath us,” Haby said.
For those that don't remember last year's property tax appraisal cap battles in Austin, this clown had the gaul to go before the Texas legislature and lobby against putting a cap on property tax appraisal rates on behalf of the Texas Municipal League (TML).
He now joins two Rat Friendswood city council members in the unemployment line. Don't mess with pissed off Texas taxpayers!
Galveston County ping.
Funny, I used to not listen to KSEV because I wasn't a homeowner and didn't care that much about property taxes. Then I got a house and got reeeal interested. Then I got my tax bill and realised my house has gone from 71,000 to 95,000 to 120,000 to 135,000 in the last four years. Now they've really got my attention. I sent in my tax protest yesterday.
When I lived there, fewer than 1,000 others did too. Now it is just wall to wall houses. How development changes things.
Good Post!
I saw this guy recently at a Bay Area Economic Development dinner. He just kind of stare at me.
I like Ron personally but he has swallowed the Texas Municipal League's trash hook line and sinker. It's really sad.
I don't think he likes me very much at all...
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