The Amarillo City Council is set to review a proposed restructuring of the city government as Assistant City Manager Floyd Hartman prepares for his upcoming retirement. Hartman, a longtime key figure in the administration, has served in various leadership roles over his career at Amarillo City Hall, overseeing critical city departments like Community Development, Utilities, Capital Projects & Development, and the City Airport. His departure is expected to have a significant impact on the city’s operations, prompting City Manager Grayson Path to propose a reshuffling of responsibilities to ensure continuity and smooth governance.
Hartman, who briefly served as Acting City Manager before Grayson Path's appointment in 2020, has long been a steady force in managing some of Amarillo's most important departments. His deep knowledge of utilities, infrastructure, and capital projects has been integral to the city’s growth and the development of large-scale projects. The restructuring plan, according to an agenda memo from City Manager Path, aims to allow Hartman to focus on his expertise in utilities before his departure while ensuring that other departments continue to operate effectively.
Key Changes in the Proposed Restructure
The proposed changes are comprehensive and designed to streamline the leadership structure while balancing the city’s various responsibilities. The following shifts are expected:
Floyd Hartman will retain oversight of the Utilities Department but will step away from his other duties, which will be redistributed across other city officials. As a result, Hartman’s remaining time in office will be spent focusing on the area where he has the most expertise, ensuring a smooth transition before his retirement.
Donny Hooper, who currently serves as Managing Director of Public Works, will be promoted to Assistant City Manager. Hooper’s new role will include not only the continued oversight of Public Works but also leadership over Capital Projects & Development, an area that was previously under Hartman’s purview. Additionally, Hooper will assume responsibility for Environmental Health, the City Marshall, Building Safety, and Facilities—all of which have been managed by Deputy City Manager Andrew Freeman.
Laura Storrs, currently an Assistant City Manager, will take over the Public Health and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs from Assistant City Manager Rich Gagnon. Storrs, who has extensive experience in public health administration, is seen as a strong fit to oversee these programs, which serve vulnerable populations in Amarillo.
Rich Gagnon will be reassigned to take over Community Development and the City Airport, which had previously been managed by Hartman. These responsibilities are crucial to the continued economic development and growth of the city, especially as Amarillo seeks to expand its infrastructure and attract new businesses and tourism.
Andrew Freeman, who serves as the Deputy City Manager, will be responsible for Municipal Court and Animal Management & Welfare—areas that are currently managed by Storrs. Freeman’s background in managing complex city departments positions him to take on these important functions as part of the larger restructuring effort.
Alan Harder, who currently serves as Assistant Public Works Director under Hooper, will be promoted to Public Works Director. Harder has been with the city for over 20 years and has played a critical role in the management of public infrastructure projects.
Impact on Amarillo’s Future Growth
The restructuring comes at a time when Amarillo is experiencing significant growth, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, utilities, and economic expansion. The city has been working on several large-scale capital improvement projects aimed at upgrading its roads, utilities, and public facilities, and the leadership changes are designed to ensure that these projects stay on track.
“Floyd’s deep understanding of our utilities system and his leadership in capital projects has been invaluable to Amarillo’s growth over the years,” said City Manager Grayson Path. “As we look ahead to the next phase of city development, this restructuring will allow us to build on the strengths of our existing team and continue to move the city forward in a smooth, efficient manner.”
In particular, Hooper’s expanded role is seen as an essential move for the city. As Managing Director of Public Works, Hooper has already played a key role in the city’s public infrastructure projects, including road repairs, drainage improvements, and new construction projects. His promotion to Assistant City Manager will allow him to provide greater oversight and ensure that both Public Works and Capital Projects are effectively managed in tandem.
Transition Plan and Future Changes
Hartman’s retirement is expected to take place in 2026, and his role overseeing the Utilities Department will be restructured once he departs. In the long term, the city plans to convert Hartman’s position into a Managing Director role that will fall under Hooper’s oversight. This change reflects the increasing importance of the Utilities Department as Amarillo continues to grow, and consolidating leadership under Hooper is intended to increase efficiency and coordination across departments.
Council Review and Public Input
The proposed restructuring will be discussed at the Amarillo City Council meeting scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, in the City Hall Council Chambers, located on the third floor of Amarillo City Hall. The meeting is open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend and provide their feedback on the proposed changes. City officials will also be available to answer questions and provide further details on how the restructuring will affect city operations.
For those unable to attend the meeting in person, the City of Amarillo provides live streaming of council meetings on its website, and public comments can be submitted online prior to the meeting.
The changes proposed in this restructuring are expected to help the city maintain its momentum as it continues to grow and evolve. As the city government adapts to meet new challenges and opportunities, the leadership reshuffling is seen as a proactive step to ensure a smooth transition and continued progress in Amarillo’s future.
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