Small Town News

City manager resigning; Vaughn seeks job

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Burnet City Manager Michael Steele has confirmed that he will resign and has accepted the job of city manager of the San Antonio suburb of Castle Hills.

Steele, 64, was hired as city manager in May of 2004 after working in the same position in Croswell, Mich, for five years and before that as the emergency management coordinator in Sparks, Nev. from 1995-99.

"It hasn't been an easy decision, but I need to look out for my family," said Steele, who acknowledge he is eager to move on.

"I'm ready for a new challenge," he said.

Steele said he will give the city council his 30-day notice before Dec. 1 and that Jan. 3 will be his last day on the job.

Assistant City Manager David Vaughn, who served as interim city manager before Steele was hired and will likely fill that role again, said Tuesday he wants to be considered for the job.

"Absolutely, j I will be a candidate," Vaughn said. "I love this community an<i this is the place we want to call home for a long time."

Steele's departure could be the first development in what could be a significant remake of the city's leadership in the next few months.

Mayor Alan Smith is battling health problems and is widely believed to have decided not to seek re-election in next May's municipal elections, but he said Monday he has not made a decision and probably will wait until early next year.

"I've got cancer," Smith told the Burnet Bulletin at Monday evening's Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Burnet County Courthouse square. "But I'Ve been getting some good reports, so we'll see what happens."

Council member Gary Wideman said last week he probably will be a candidate for mayor, but has not made a final decision.

Also, council member Paul Schell, who is mayor pro tern, is prohibited from seeking re-election because of the city's term limits provision.

Vaughn is considered by many familiar with the workings of city government to be highly competent, but will have to convince council members he possesses the willingness and ability to handle the public face and public relations aspects of the job, a source close familiar with the situation said.

Castle Hills is an affluent suburb of about 4,500 people in the northern part of San Antonio.

Steele said he was under no pressure to resign, but a source said he had become increasingly disillusioned over what he perceived to be inadequate salary increases in recent years.

Steele declined to comment when asked about his salary.

The city manager did make a point of expressing his pride in improving the salary structure for city employees in the past four years.

"I always advocated for our employees because I believe they are the city's biggest asset," he said.

Steele said he successfully completed a list of tasks he was given when he was hired.

"It has not been easy, but I feel like we have the city staff running like a well-oiled machine," he said.



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