New city manager decision expected soon
Photo by Ann Powers
By Ann Powers
The Mineral Wells City Council anticipates having a decision shortly on who will be the next city manager to help them tackle pressing municipal issues including growth, road repairs and water supply.
The public had a chance to meet the three finalists vying for the opportunity during a meet-and-greet reception at the Women’s Club, Feb. 24. The position opened up after the city’s former city manager, Randy Criswell, resigned to take a similar job in Wolfforth, TX.
City officials said the three finalists were selected from a pool of 24 applicants stretching across 10 states. They include:
Glen Adams: Adams, 54, has a military background spanning nearly 27 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1985, earned a commission in 1988 and went on active duty in 1990. He had two combat deployments and was appointed as Facilities Branch Chief – U.S. Force Japan in 2009. Most recently he served as city manager in Santa Fe, TX. Adams was also the chief of staff for the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico from 2015-20.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies and psychology and coursework toward an MBA from Clayton State University in Georgia.
Adams said one of the top issues he would tackle as city manager is business growth.
“You have to get the businesses in here for the sales tax revenue because right not the burden on the citizens and the property tax is what’s making the city run,” he said.
Improving police and fire department operations so employees can work more efficiently together in providing emergency services and infrastructure upgrades are other key areas he said.
“My wife (Bridget) and I drove about 90 miles of the city’s 104 miles and I don’t think we were on a road that didn’t need to be fixed,” Adams explained.
While overhauling the roads in the city’s downtown area is vital, Adams said the improvements need to encompass all of Mineral Wells.
“You have to take care of, I hate to say, the lower-income part,” he said. “Because, honestly, if you don’t take care of that it becomes blight. And, nobody is going to invest into repairing those things if it looks like that.”
Why does he feel he’s the best candidate for the job?
“I have a history of making things happen,” Adams said. “I know how to work with people, putting the right people in touch with each other. Citizens become like my family and I’m really good at taking care of my family.”
Aron Kulhavy: Kulhavy, 45, has more than 22 years of local government experience and is currently the city manager in Huntsville, TX. Prior to being appointed city manager in 2018, he served as Huntsville’s director of community and economic development from 2012-18, and public works director and city planner from 2008-12. Before Huntsville, Kulhavy was the development services director/city planner for Nacogdoches from 2005-08 city planner from 1999-2005.
Kulhavy earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in public administration from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is also a certified public manager.
Kulhavy said ensuring the projects of the city’s 2018 bond measure are completed (which includes $7.5 million in street work), municipal growth and securing an abundant water supply are areas to prioritized.
“Water is a challenge all over the state,” he said. “It’s the next oil. It’s a limited resource and can be the one that’s a really limiting factor on how much a city can grow or how fast a city can grow.”
And, why does Kulhavy think he’s the best candidate to get the job done?
“I’ve spent a majority of my career in planning and development,” he said. “Municipal government is what I know and what I do.”
Nick Wells: Wells, 53, has served the City of Holtville, CA since 2011. He was Holtville’s finance manager from 2011-14, and its city manager from 2014 to present. Previously, he was controller for Development Design & Engineering, Inc. in El Centro, CA from 2006-11.
Photo by Ann Powers
Wells has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business/accounting from California State University – Fresno, and a master’s degree in administration/land use planning from Northern Arizona University.
He said water supply concerns, road repairs and aiding municipal growth via improvements to the Mineral Wells Regional Airport top his list for issues to tackle if he becomes the next Mineral Wells city manager.
Wells said he’s the guy to get it done because he has a “track record of success” and “a passion for whatever I do.”
On the lighter side, Wells is also a professional singer and said he is more than willing to step in wherever a national anthem needs to be sung – Ram’s games, little league events, etc.
“You’ll never want for a national anthem singer,” he chuckled. “I’m the sound man for the City of Holtville and I’m the designated singer of national anthems.”
City council members planned to interview final city manager contenders on Feb. 25 and will announce their choice following contract negotiations.
“I don’t have a favorite yet,” said Mayor Pro Tem Doyle Light while attending the event. “I’m anxious to learn more about all these three great candidates.”
