KILLEEN. TX — The Killeen City Council has named a new city manager.
James "Kent" Cagle will be the city's next city manager, and the council will formally consider approval of an employment contract at its Nov. 19 meeting. If approved, Cagle will start on Dec. 3.
“City Council is excited to welcome Mr. Cagle to Killeen,” said Mayor Jose Segarra. “We are impressed by his experience in city management and finance, and we believe he will continue the City’s positive path forward.”
Cagle has more than 18 years of city management experience in a 32-year local government career. He most recently served in the top post for Leander from November 2011 to May of this year. He was city manager of Duncanville from 2001 to 2011 following four years as assistant city manager.
His previous positions include director of budget and risk management for the City of Carrollton and senior budget analyst for the City of Plano.
Cagle earned a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas Tech University.
"I am honored and excited about the opportunity to fill this important role in such a significant city. Killeen faces challenges, but they are far outweighed by the city’s potential. I’m particularly interested in the challenge of balancing new growth with redevelopment, and I look forward to working with City Council and the community to create the plan for the future," Cagle said.
Some Central Texans say they've heard his name before, and not in a good way.
When Kevin Lonzo heard about Killeen's selection of a new city manager, he imagined this how his interview must have played out.
"Hey, I've been through some stuff, but here, I have this to offer, so I'm ready for the next step," Lonzo said.
City leaders in Leander fired Cagle saying "the City carefully considered the decision to separate."
Cagle sued Leander for breach of contract and violation of the Texas Whistleblower Act. Leander paid almost $350,000 dollars to settle that lawsuit.
But Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra calls that separation "no big deal."
"Does Mr. Cagle come with baggage?" asked 25 News reporter Dennis Turner.
"No, I don't think... the thing he came with from Leander, I think it's more political," explained Mayor Segarra.
Mayor Segarra says, good city managers don't grow on trees, and Killeen put
The new city manager had to pass muster with three separate committees, including city council, a committee of employees, and a committee of citizens. All three had a full briefing of Mr. Cagle's past.
"The more experience they have, the more they've dealt with that in the past and they're gonna have things in their record, as long as it's something that is not illegal," said the mayor.
Taxpayers say leadership trumps politics.
”You've got that quarterback. The quarterback is the main position, so he's in charge of everything in his hand. He's gotta make sure everybody's doing their job,” said Benjamin Garner of Killeen.
Nyeashaa Rodriguez said she expects Cagle to efficiently run Killeen.
"It's very important because you're not going to want to pay all these taxes if you're not gonna get running water and trash pickup and everything that you are paying taxes for," she said.
Like the mayor, Kevin Lonzo believes as long as Cagle didn't break any laws, he deserves the chance to show what he's got.
"I think so, like, i would believe in giving anybody a second chance," Lonzo said.
