TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB, TEXAS
Town of Trophy Club, Texas
This is a unique opportunity for the management professional to live and work in a family-oriented community of 7864 which surrounds one of the premier golf courses in the country. The Town of Trophy Club, nestled in the scenic countryside of the northwest Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, offers a small town feel but is only minutes from cultural, art, and sports attractions known worldwide. The Mayor and Town Council are looking to replace a town manager who has voluntarily left for a similar position in a new community. Only two managers have served the Town since incorporation in 1985.
Features of the Trophy Club Community
Before incorporation as a Town in 1985, a Houston developer approached the Council of the Town of Westlake regarding the possibility of constructing a housing development around a private country club where Ben Hogan designed his only golf course in the picturesque countryside. Today the town is known for its heavily wooded home sites and wide streets that gently wind around the town.
The community is primarily residential in nature. The median income for a household in the town was $92,492 at the last census. Employers in the immediate area include First American, Sabre Holdings, AmerisourceBergen, Applied Industrial Technologies, Citigroup, Fidelity Investments, Honeywell Aviation, American Airlines, Deloitte and Touche, and Pfizer.
The Baylor Medical Center at Trophy Club offers a wide variety of healthcare services. Opened May 1, 2004, the Center is situated on 11.5 acres and provides advanced medical imaging services as well as a variety of surgical procedures and cancer treatments that are well respected by the American Hospital Association.
Access to the metroplex is convenient for both residents and businesses. With close proximity to major highways, residents can enjoy additional shopping, dining and recreational activities in Fort Worth and Dallas with only a 30 minute drive. DFW Airport is 15 minutes away. In addition, companies take advantage of the Alliance Global Logistics Hub with direct access to two main north-south rail lines, an intermodal yard, the world’s first 100% industrial airport, air cargo services and facilities, Interstate Highway 35W, Texas Highways 170 and 114, and a regional overnight sorting hub.
Education services from kindergarten through high school is offered within the Town of Trophy Club by Northwest Independent School District (NISD). NISD is an award winning and well respected school district that provides recognized and exemplary campuses district wide. The new state-of-the-art Byron Nelson High School currently enrolls freshmen and sophomores and will add a grade each year until all four grades attend BNHS in 2012. The school can accommodate 2000 students at the college-campus styled facilities.
The community participates in the Northwest Metroport Chamber of Commerce along with five neighboring communities: Haslet, Justin, Roanoke, Northlake, and Westlake.
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 related professional degree is preferred. A minimum of five to seven years of increasingly responsible management experience in communities of comparable complexity is highly desired.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated skills in conflict resolution; developing and mentoring staff in a positive work environment; establishing cooperative, productive relationships with external organizations; and maintaining effective channels of communication with the town council and residents.
The next Town Manager will reside in Trophy Club and be willing to become involved in many facets of life in the community.
Core Competencies required include:
| Performance budgeting knowledge and solid financial management |
| Knowledge and appreciation of diverse parks activities and recreation programs |
| Working knowledge of utility districts and public improvement districts |
| Knowledge of full city services and operations |
| Understanding of water/wastewater systems |
| Economic development initiatives |
Other attributes sought by the Town Council:
| Consensus builder able to generate trusting work relationships |
| Participatory manager with effective delegation skills |
| Polished, professional presentation style |
| Ability to guide the town council through complex issues |
| Explores innovative technology to achieve greater efficiency |
| Interested in living and working in a family-oriented community |
Trophy Club Government Organization
After incorporating as a General Law community in 1985, Trophy Club has operated as a Home Rule municipality utilizing the Council-Manager form of government since 2004. Policymaking and legislative authority are vested in the Town Council consisting of the Mayor and five other members. The Town Council is responsible for, among other things, passing ordinances, adopting the budget, appointing boards and committees, and hiring the Town Manager and Town Attorney. The Town Council is elected on a non-partisan basis. With the Charter Amendments passed at the May 9, 2009 Election Council members are elected at large from the Town for a term of three years or until their successors have been elected and take office.
The Town Manager is responsible for carrying out the policies and ordinances of the Town Council, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the government and for appointing the heads of the various Town departments. The Town of Trophy Club provides a full range of municipal services including general government,
public safety (police and EMS), streets, parks and recreation, planning and zoning, code enforcement, and drainage utilities. Water/wastewater and Fire protection are provided through the Municipal Utility District.
Features of the Town of Trophy Club
Trophy Club is particularly unique in that the area was developed as a planned residential area with a Municipal Utility District providing various services. When the town incorporated in 1985 the MUD continued to provide water, wastewater treatment, and fire services to the community. Presently, the MUD continues with responsibility for water/wastewater services and shares the fire/EMS service with the Town of Trophy Club. Maintaining this arrangement is important, since the MUD district includes a high end commercial area in neighboring Westlake, and the MUD and Town of Trophy Club realize significant revenues from the Westlake development. Consideration of appropriate methods to address the “shared staff” structure is ongoing and will be an important near term issue for the Town Manager.
Trophy Club is a relatively affluent community encompassing 4.1 square miles with homes surrounding two golf courses. The predominance of residential development requires careful attention to economic development activities for the limited remaining undeveloped lands to attract commercial activities benefitting Trophy Club residents. Higher end entertainment, hospitality, and restaurant development is desired.
The Town of Trophy Club was recently upgraded by Standard and Poor’s to an AA rating – Very strong capacity to meet financial requirements. The rating from Moody’s is Aa3. Revenues are derived primarily from property taxes and franchise fees while sales tax revenues comprise a relatively small portion of the total due to the low percentage of commercial development.
The community enjoys a reputation for being a safe place to live. Most crime incidents are property-related. However, calls for service are anticipated to increase as the new Byron Nelson High School student population grows. Denton County provides 911 dispatch services for the Town.
Parks and recreation facilities are a priority for Trophy Club residents, and the P&R Department maintains several parks and athletic fields. Attractive median landscaping throughout the community is maintained by Parks crews. A 900-acre park at Lake Grapevine offers the opportunity to develop a variety of activities such as motocross, BMX, RV camping, boating, and fishing. The municipal swimming pool will soon have a state-of-the-art splash park feature.
Future Issues to be Addressed
| Stormwater Master Plan |
| New police facilities |
| Economic Development |
| Implementation of performance-based budgeting |
| Creation of a 5-year Capital Improvement Budget |
| Improved operating relationship with the MUD |
| Development of regional service agreements with Northwest Metroport cities |
| Street maintenance master plan |
Compensation
The starting salary for the position will range from $120,000 to $150,000 depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. A market competitive fringe benefits plan will be provided as well. Reasonable relocation expense reimbursement will also be provided.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted until close of business July 9, 2010. To request an application, please email your letter of interest to Gary Holland, Senior Vice-President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at gholland73@hotmail.com or gholland@mercergroupinc.com.