The search for a new city manager in Tomball is underway after George Shackelford, the existing city manager, announced his retirement in late October. Shackelford said Tomball City Council members offered to extend his employment contract, but he felt it was time to retire.

Council members met in closed executive sessions Nov. 6 and Nov. 20 to discuss the appointment of a new city manager. However, discussions are ongoing about what process to take to select Shackelford’s replacement, Mayor Gretchen Fagan said.

Shackelford said his retirement is effective April 2. He said he began serving the city of Tomball in 2010 and plans to travel and spend more time with family—particularly his grandchildren—upon retiring.

“We’ve been incredibly blessed with Tomball. It’s just been an amazing community to live in,” he said.

According to the Texas Municipal League, the city manager implements policies approved by the city council, administers the city’s daily operations, enforces city ordinances, supervises city employees and prepares the city’s annual budget.

“George is an incredibly talented city manager,” Assistant City Manager Rob Hauck said. “A big legacy that George has to leave is the position that we’re in financially. We are in a very, very strong fiscal position under the guidance certainly of city council and the mayor but with George at the helm.”