Flower Mound Leader > News
Mayor addresses town manager situation
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
During Monday night's Flower Mound Town Council meeting, Mayor Tom Hayden addressed the ongoing situation involving Town Manager Harlan Jefferson.
Jefferson was placed on paid administrative leave on Sept. 22. Chuck Springer, the town's assistant town manager and chief financial officer, was named interim town manager that day.
Rumors have circulated about the reason for the move, including the problems various developers have had over the years in doing business in Flower Mound. Surveys filled out by area developers indicate a series of problems they have had with the town.
For the most part, Hayden and the rest of the council have declined to comment, citing personnel issues.
Monday, however, Hayden gave some insight to why Jefferson is on leave and what the mayor sees in the town's future.
"The council wants to make sure that we feel like we're in the situation where we can move forward and put FLower Mound in the best place to achieve our goals and objectives," Hayden said. "It's nothing personal about Mr. Jefferson. It's about looking at where we are. Nothing has been finalized. We are taking our time and the due process to go through everything to make sure we're addressing the issues."
Hayden addressed concerns he said several people have raised about what type of financial impact parting ways with Jefferson would have. Jefferson's contract is set to expire in 2015.
"I'm not sure what the financial impact will be," Hayden said. "Nothing has been decided. But if you look at the town's reserves today, which is over $9 million, I feel very confident in saying that a year from now, the town's reserves will be higher than they are today."
Jefferson became Flower Mound's town manager in 2006 after serving as chief financial officer.
During the public hearing portion of the Sept. 22 meeting, Jefferson’s attorney, Don Colleluori, said Jefferson understands that it is the council’s right to terminate his contract, but he said Jefferson had not been given the opportunity to address any concerns the council had of him.
Since then, sources have refuted that claim, citing several instances when Jefferson was aware of concerns. Among those were discussions at the town council strategic planning session and a council work session following the election in which the council outlined goals and discussed a desire to change the town’s direction in certain areas.
Jefferson was placed on paid administrative leave on Sept. 22. Chuck Springer, the town's assistant town manager and chief financial officer, was named interim town manager that day.
Rumors have circulated about the reason for the move, including the problems various developers have had over the years in doing business in Flower Mound. Surveys filled out by area developers indicate a series of problems they have had with the town.
For the most part, Hayden and the rest of the council have declined to comment, citing personnel issues.
Monday, however, Hayden gave some insight to why Jefferson is on leave and what the mayor sees in the town's future.
"The council wants to make sure that we feel like we're in the situation where we can move forward and put FLower Mound in the best place to achieve our goals and objectives," Hayden said. "It's nothing personal about Mr. Jefferson. It's about looking at where we are. Nothing has been finalized. We are taking our time and the due process to go through everything to make sure we're addressing the issues."
Hayden addressed concerns he said several people have raised about what type of financial impact parting ways with Jefferson would have. Jefferson's contract is set to expire in 2015.
"I'm not sure what the financial impact will be," Hayden said. "Nothing has been decided. But if you look at the town's reserves today, which is over $9 million, I feel very confident in saying that a year from now, the town's reserves will be higher than they are today."
Jefferson became Flower Mound's town manager in 2006 after serving as chief financial officer.
During the public hearing portion of the Sept. 22 meeting, Jefferson’s attorney, Don Colleluori, said Jefferson understands that it is the council’s right to terminate his contract, but he said Jefferson had not been given the opportunity to address any concerns the council had of him.
Since then, sources have refuted that claim, citing several instances when Jefferson was aware of concerns. Among those were discussions at the town council strategic planning session and a council work session following the election in which the council outlined goals and discussed a desire to change the town’s direction in certain areas.
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