Mike Castro[/caption]Jersey Village City Manager Mike Castro has officially submitted his resignation from the city effective Aug. 26.
Castro, who has served as city manager for Jersey Village since 2005, said he has accepted a job as city manager with the City of Murphy in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He will begin that job Sept. 12, he said.
“[Jersey Village] is a great community, and I have tremendously enjoyed my time here,” Castro said. “I have always been impressed with the staff and elected officials, and I am excited about the future of this city. I have made many great friendships and professional relationships here, and I plan to stay in touch.”
Jersey Village will seek to hire an interim city manager to serve temporarily while city staff and council search for a full-time replacement. Interviews for the interim city manager are expected to take place at a special Jersey Village City Council meeting on Aug. 4.
Under Castro’s management, Jersey Village completed the third phase of a street rehabilitation program, adopted an updated comprehensive plan and recently started the process of finding an engineering firm to conduct a flood recovery study. Castro said he and city staff will work to help get the interim manager up to speed on major ongoing projects, which also include adopting the 2016-17 city budget and carrying out water and sewer line relocations along Hwy. 290.
Castro said he will be with the city for the Aug. 15 council meeting where city staff is expected to recommend a firm for the flood study, and city council will be asked to authorize work to begin on the new utility lines along Hwy. 290.
Castro also said he will work to ensure progress on several comprehensive plan initiatives stays on track. Initiatives slated to be featured in the 2016-17 city budget include the development of wayfinding signage, improved landscaping at city entranceways and the development of a more recognizable city brand.
This year will involve the planning phase for these projects—meeting with city council and residents, Castro said. Following the planning phase, the city will likely look to include projects as capital improvements in future budgets, he said.
“The comprehensive plan represents a new start for the city, and we don’t want to lose track of those initiatives,” Castro said. “I am going to do whatever I can with my time left to help the city put its best foot forward.”
