Kyle City Council Appoints Interim City Manager

         The Kyle City Council has appointed current Kyle Assistant City Manager James R. Earp, CPM, to serve as interim city manager while the council conducts a search for a new permanent city manager.

         The appointment was the result of a special called council meeting on Tuesday, April 13th, that included council interviews with Earp and outgoing Elgin City Manger Jeff Coffee. The vote to appoint Earp was unanimous.
Earp came to Kyle in September 2006, from the City of Ennis where he served for two years as Assistant to the City Manager.    

          "After extensive discussion from the council on Tuesday night, it was clear James Earp would be the best fit for Kyle moving forward in the interim,” said Kyle Mayor Lucy Johnson. “We believe his knowledge and experience from serving as assistant city manager in Kyle will serve the city well as we continue work on ongoing projects and head into the next budget season."

           Earp, who replaces former city manger Tom Mattis, will receive a $3,000 month stipend in addition to his current salary while he serves in the interim role. The council voted 5 -2 on the salary stipend with Mayor Lucy Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lopez and council members Becky Selbera, David Salazar and David Wilson voting in favor of the increase. Voting against were council members Jaime Sanchez and Russ Huebner.

          “I’m honored and humbled that the council has seen fit to entrust me with this huge responsibility, said Earp. “It is my promise to the council, city staff and most of all, the people of Kyle, that I will work my hardest to prove worthy of that trust.”

            "James has done an excellent job serving as an assistant city manager,” said Johnson. “I'm really excited to get to work with him as our interim manager during these next few months."

             Earp has a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington and has also received a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management, focusing heavily on sustainable development of cities, from Harvard University. He also a holds a BBA in Finance and a BS in Economics from Tarleton State University and has completed the requirements for his Certified Public Manager designation.

          “I realize that it is always difficult to make the necessary transitions when a city manager leaves, especially after such a long tenure as Mr. Mattis,” said Earp. “I will endeavor to assist making that transition for everybody involved as seamless as possible while working to continue moving the City of Kyle forward.”