Leander Could Soon Take Action On City Manager Search

LEANDER, TX — The Leander City Council may take action this week in connection to its search for a city manager after the person who held the position was removed last month.

Leander City Council members on May 20 voted to remove Kent Cagle as the city manager following a closed-door discussion during a special meeting. Cagle had served as the city's city manager since November 2011, according to his LinkedIn account. Before coming to Leander, Cagle served as city manager in Duncanville, Texas, for nearly 11 years before serving as assistant city manager there for four years, his online resume reads.

Assistant City Manager David Carroll was appointed to serve as acting city manager ahead of a search for a more permanent replacement.

"The citizens of Leander asked for change, and this is the next step in that direction," Mayor Troy Hill said at the time. "As we begin the process of finding our next city manager, I want to assure Leander residents and businesses that our government is still operating and that our community will move forward."

Council subsequently appointed Gordon Pierce as interim city manager, pending a finalized contract. Pierce is a former city manager who has previously served in temporary executive roles with other municipalities. He assumed the interim role as Leander city manager pending a finalized contract.

Cagle's removal was preceded by the sudden resignation of Economic Development Director Mark Willis, who submitted his resignation effective June 14. Willis joined the city as economic development director in 2015. During his tenure, the city secured commitments from St. David’s Hospital to construct a 50-acre medical campus, reached an agreement with Lone Star Tangible Assets to host the Texas Bullion Depository, and launched the city's Old Town incentive grant program, officials noted at the time.

Given that the dual moves were personnel-related, details behind the removal and resignation are unclear. To date, city officials have not provided updates as to the search for a new economic development director.

But the city council may consider further action on the process of selecting a new city manager during the next regular council meeting scheduled on Thursday, June 6, officials said. The Leander City Council meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in Pat Bryson Municipal Hall located at 201 N. Brushy St.

Those with questions regarding public meetings should contact the city secretary at (512) 528-2743. For a list of individual council members, click here.