Item 5DCity of Southlake, Texas
MEMORANDUM
October 12, 2005
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Shana K. Yelverton, City Manager
SUBJECT: Appointment of Rick Smith as Director of Public Safety
Action Requested: City Council approval of the appointment of Rick Smith as the Director of
Public Safety for the City of Southlake.
Background
Information: The Southlake Charter requires that "The head of each department shall be a
chief, director or superintendent who shall be appointed by the City Manager
subject to the approval of the Council and such chief, director or
superintendent shall have supervision and control over his department."
Rick Smith has served as Interim Director of Public Safety since April 11,
2005. The decision to ask Mr. Smith to remain in this position followed a
careful and thorough review of his work over the last six months.
Mr. Smith has done an excellent job for the City of Southlake in a number of
ways. He has extensive public safety and other public management experience
and brings professional maturity and sound judgment to the assignment. He is
analytical and has a clear vision of how to accomplish departmental goals. His
calm leadership style, consistency and fairness have brought a sense of
stability to the department during a period of time that could have been
tumultuous for the department. He is known for having an open and honest
style, as a Director who will listen to the opinions of his employees. He has
also proven himself to be s strong member of the management team, working
very well with the other departmental directors.
Because of his public safety experience, Mr. Smith comes to the job with a
strong vision for the future of the department and its role of helping to continue
to make Southlake an outstanding community.
His appointment will be effective October 31, 2005, following Council's
action. Between now and then he will be taking some time off, and Fire Chief
Robert Finn will be Acting Director of Public Safety.
Financial
Considerations: This position has been extended to Mr. Smith with a monthly salary of
$9,166.67, plus the standard executive benefit package.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: N/A
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Appointment of Rick Smith
Page 2 of 2
Legal Review: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Supporting
Documents: None
Staff
Recommendation: Staff recommends Council approval of the appointment of Rick Smith to the
position of Director of Public Safety for the City of Southlake.