College Station City Manager Glenn Brown plans to leave his post by the end of the year.
City Secretary Connie Hooks also announced her pending retirement in a late-night City Council meeting Tuesday. She said she has tentative plans to make her last day July 31.
The announcements came during evaluations of the five City Council-appointed employees, which also include the municipal court judge, city attorney and internal auditor.
Mayor Ben White said Brown always was professional and an "unbelievable deep-thinker." Brown has been someone who thought hard about what he was going to say before he said it and mulled over his recommendations before sharing them with the council, White said.
Prior to being named city manager in March 2006, Brown served as interim city manager starting in July 2005 and assistant city manager since 2000.
Brown has worked in municipal management for 35 years and said after a lot of soul-searching and prayer, he decided it was time for something less stressful that didn't take as much of his time. Brown said he and his wife would eventually like to move to the Dallas area to be around their children and grandchild.
"I love my job completely," Brown said, adding he would turn 60 in a month. "It's just something I feel I need to do."
Brown said he wouldn't be retiring completely, but wasn't sure what he would do with the next phase of his life. He said he's seen the city grow and take on a lot of exciting projects throughout the years. Brown said he's most proud of helping establish an excellent management team.
Brown said he will remain fully engaged through the end of the year and wanted to give the City Council plenty of time to decide what to do about replacing him as well as give himself time to come to terms with the next phase of his life.
Hooks has been the heart and soul of the city secretary's office, White said.
"We could not be happier for her," White said. "It will leave a big hole in our city, but a hole that can be filled."
Hooks said she'll have worked for the city 25 years in July. She said her announcement was primarily due to her desire to pursue something new and seek new skills. Hooks said she was interested in finding part-time work in the area, possibly dealing with tourism, though she said she hasn't begun a job search.
For the next four months, Hooks said, she'll prepare staff members for her absence, and the position will be posted in May.
"I just feel like it's been an awesome experience to have seen all of these successes we've had," she said.
Hooks said she's worked for five mayors and has watched her department grow from one employee to five.
"It's just been wonderful. It really has. I have no regrets. I've learned so much."
Also at Tuesday night's meeting, the council evaluated Internal Auditor Ty Elliott, Municipal Court Judge Ed Spillane and City Attorney Harvey Cargill.
Last year, the City Council-appointed employees earned 4 percent salary increases during the annual review process; no raises were given this year because of budget concerns.
"This is going to turn around," White said referring to the economy. "It's just a matter of time."
Elliott is in his third year with the city in a position that was created to ensure better oversight of financial matters, White said.
"This position has really paid for itself," White said.
Elliott received high marks from the council members, White said.
Spillane has continued to do an outstanding job for the city, White said.
"His court was just awarded recognition for the way they handle the financial aspect of that operation," White said.
Cargill is well-respected and is a professional, White said.
"He's known throughout the state as one of the best, if not the best, municipal attorneys in the state," White said.
White said the council might not always agree with Cargill's techniques and mannerisms, but he does an outstanding job.
"I can guarantee the citizens are getting there money's worth," he said.
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