CITY OF BRIDGEPORT, TEXAS
This is an outstanding opportunity for a talented, friendly, energetic leader to live and work in an ever-improving, family-friendly community of 6,095 residents with easy access to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The City of Bridgeport offers the convenience of small town living, a rich cultural history, and a multitude of recreational activities. Yet, the community is only 45 minutes northwest of the most dynamic metropolitan area in the nation. The Mayor and City Council are looking for a proven, decisive, and creative city administrator to maintain the City’s progressive momentum.
ABOUT THE CANDIDATE
Qualified candidates must posses a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business, or a related field from a nationally accredited institution. A Master’s Degree or professional degree in a related field is preferred. Senior-level leadership or management experience directing a public organization is preferred. Qualified candidates will demonstrate a solid understanding of public finance and accounting, organizational and personnel management skills; water, sewer, and electric utility operations; economic development initiatives; and capital project management.
Core Competencies required include:
| Strategic Planning |
| Customer Service Orientation |
| Effective Communications |
| Management Team-Building and Mentoring |
| Use of Innovative Technology and Management Techniques |
Other attributes of the successful candidate sought by the Mayor and City Council include:
| Professional oral presentation skills, effective communicator. |
| Record of positive interaction with external community and government agencies. |
| Demonstrated ability to think creatively and implement innovative solutions. |
| Ability to anticipate problems and act decisively. |
| Proactive manager who can bring ideas to the City Council. |
| Highly capable with use of technology to improve services. |
| Successful record of retaining and attracting quality staff, serving as a mentor, and effectively delegating responsibility while ensuring quality service delivery. |
| Appreciation for historic preservation and restoration. |
| Interest in becoming a participant in the community through local civic groups and the chamber of commerce. |
| Demonstrated integrity and honesty. |
FEATURES OF THE COMMUNITY OF BRIDGEPORT
The Bridgeport community takes great pride in the historic character of the area and continues to foster appreciation of the humble beginnings of the city on the banks of the West Fork Trinity River. The first intercontinental mail route in the U.S. was established in 1858, and the first stop in Bridgeport occurred in 1859. The Butterfield Overland Trail stretched 2800 miles from St. Louis to San Francisco, and the route crossed through Texas and Bridgeport to avoid the more rugged terrain to the north. A replica of the Concord stagecoach used by Butterfield Overland Mail was recently acquired to serve as the iconic symbol of the City of Bridgeport.
The economy of Bridgeport is rooted in the natural resources of the area. Coal mining of the late 1800’s has transitioned to oil and gas production and processing, and the limestone quarried in the area is evident in the construction of many attractive buildings in the community.
Devon Energy, a world leader in natural gas exploration and production, recently established a regional field office in Bridgeport. Devon employs 350 in Bridgeport and over 550 in the North Texas vicinity. The Barnett Shale natural gas field, the largest natural gas field in the United States, is located in the Bridgeport area, and Devon processes 600 million cubic feet of natural gas per day at their Bridgeport plant. More than 75 Bridgeport area companies are active in the Barnet Shale field.
Among the recent additions to Bridgeport is the 52-bed North Texas Community Hospital. A new doctor’s medical office building adjoins the hospital.
The community is seven miles from beautiful Lake Bridgeport and lies to the south of the LBJ National Grasslands. The recreation areas in and around Bridgeport offer a variety of facilities for golf, camping, picnicking, and other outdoor activities. All are open year-round. Horseback riding, fishing, hunting, off-road parks, and scenic wildlife viewing are popular activities in the area.
Many young families reside in the Bridgeport area as evidenced by the 2200 students enrolled in the Bridgeport Independent School District. The Bridgeport ISD includes an elementary school (grades preK-2), intermediate school (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-8), and Bridgeport High School (grades 9-12).
FEATURES OF THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT
The Bridgeport City Administrator reports to a City Council comprised of the Mayor and five Council Members with two-year staggered terms in office. Other officers appointed by the City Council are the City Attorney and Municipal Judge. Bridgeport is a general law municipality in the State of Texas.
The City of Bridgeport enjoys a politically stable environment with three city administrators over the last 20 years. The current city administrator is leaving to work for ICMA as a Local Governance Advisor for USAID's Community Action Program in Iraq.
The City Administrator implements the policy direction of the City Council through department directors responsible for services including police and animal services, municipal airport operations, water and wastewater treatment, electrical distribution, parks and recreation, and the Bridgeport Main Street program. The City Administrator is authorized to appoint or remove any employee when necessary for the welfare of the City.
The Bridgeport Police Department is completing the accreditation process through the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation and will be pursuing national accreditation. This makes Bridgeport one of only twenty-five departments so accredited in the State of Texas.
The Municipal Airport employs a 4000-foot runway to accommodate significant business and personal air traffic throughout the year. Plans are underway to acquire funding for the extension of the runway to 5000 feet.
Development Services is moving the City aggressively toward modern land use, zoning, and development practices. The recently completed Comprehensive Plan includes an Airport Master Plan, Preliminary and Spatial Plan for the Recreational and Industrial Park, and a 5-year street improvement plan.
Information technologies are widely utilized to enhance service delivery across departments. GIS mapping is increasingly used for land development, water/sewer infrastructure, and other mapping applications. The City utilizes Voice over IP telecommunications to reduce costs and enhance service. The City is also implementing a wireless mesh network for use in public safety communications as well as for the general public. The utility services provided by the City acquire billing data through an automated meter reading system (AMR).
The City of Bridgeport enjoys good financial health as the annual operating budget reserve typically exceeds 15%. The General Fund operating budget for FY 2008 was $7,209,710, and the City employs 96 full-time staff.
The community takes great pride in the programs and facilities maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department. Three parks, a swimming pool, and many recreational and athletic programs are run through P&R. The City enjoys a good working relationship with the school district in the conduct of youth programs.
The Bridgeport Main Street program functions in close cooperation with the Historical Society as well as the Cultural Arts Board. The community takes great pride in the rich history of the community and strives to preserve and restore the historic architecture of the downtown area.
FUTURE ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED
The City Council strongly desires the next City Administrator to facilitate a continuation of the progress in professional staff development, effective use of technology to enhance services, and use of innovative management techniques. Other issues which the next City Administrator will likely manage are:
| Preparation for a city election in 2010 regarding establishing a Home Rule Charter. |
| Planning for the transition from a volunteer fire department to a full-time Fire Department financed by the City of Bridgeport. The current ISO rating for Bridgeport is 4. |
| Establishment of a Development Code which will integrate zoning, subdivision and development regulations into one comprehensive development document. |
Compensation/benefits
The starting salary for the new City Administrator of the City of Bridgeport will be market competitive depending upon the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. In addition, a competitive benefits package will be provided to the successful candidate. The successful candidate will establish residency within the City of Bridgeport.
How to Apply
Applications including a letter of interest, resume, and salary history should be sent by January 30, 2010 to the attention of Gary Holland, Senior Vice-President, The Mercer Group, Inc. via email at gholland73@hotmail.com or gholland@mercergroupinc.com
The City of Bridgeport is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Bridgeport does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or disability in employment or the provision of services.