El Paso city manager finalist for similar position in Frisco, Texas; El Paso may owe nearly $1 million severance pay

City Manager Employment Agreement by David Gonzalez on Scribd

EL PASO, Texas – The city of Frisco, Texas has name El Paso City Manager Tommy Gonzalez as one of four finalists in its search for a new city manager.

Frisco closed its search at the end of March. The candidate pool included 55 applicated from 17 states, according to Frisco's website.

The website state the next step is for the finalists to tour the city and hold initial interviews with members of the Frisco City Council.

“Our City Council is committed to due diligence as we interview the finalists for the first time,” said Mayor Jeff Cheney on Frisco's website.  

“We’ll be looking for a candidate who best aligns with our city’s culture, vision and priorities. We want someone who can build upon our successes and enhance our strategy moving forward.”

Other finalists for the position, according to Frisco's website are:

• Majed Al-Ghafry, Assistant City Manager for Economic Development and Tourism, Conventions and Events for the City of Dallas
• Ron Patterson, Deputy City Manager for the City of Frisco
• Wesley Pierson, City Manager for the Town of Addison

According to the El Paso City website, Gonzalez was appointed as City Manager in El Paso in June. He's credited with further strengthening El Paso's financial stability by eliminating a $7.8 million deficit, tripling the fund balance by increasing it by more than $73 million and assembling a team to achieve zero audit findings for six consecutive years.

Gonzalez's departure could come with a lucrative severance payout.

According to the most recent city manager contract, dated December 17th, 2018, Gonzalez would walk away with a full year's compensation, which amounts to around $400,000.

The same contract says Gonzalez may accrue up to six months sick leave, as well as six months vacation time.

Add to that, the city manager gets a car allowance.

If Gonzalez has not used up his accrued sick leave and vacation time, he could get a lump sum payment totaling that year's unused leave.

All of this is contingent upon Gonzalez giving city leaders 120 days prior notice before departing.