Ovilla city manager retires

OVILLA – The City of Ovilla is without a city manager this week. Last week, two-year City Manager John Dean retired.

While the meeting was held in executive session and there was no reason given for his retirement, council accepted his retirement request at the Aug. 30 special city council meeting.

His retirement began on the same day.

Dean came to the city in June of 2017 to take the permanent position with the city.

Before his arrival, he served as the city manager for the city of Pilot Point.

He had also worked in municipal government for 10 years serving in Oklahoma and Texas.

Retired from the U.S. Army, he held a bachelor’s degree in social science from Campbell University, a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Webster University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma.

“John was one of the most experienced city managers Ovilla has had. We wish him the best in his retirement,” Ovilla Mayor Pro Tem David Griffin said.

While the city council searches for a new City Manager, longtime Ovilla City Secretary Pam Wood-all will take the helm as the “acting city manager.”

Griffin said the council would discuss next steps to begin a search for a new city manager at the upcoming city council meeting this month.

During his time in Ovilla, Dean streamlined the budget process for the city as well as putting together the upcoming city bond package, which will be voted on by residents in November.

When hired, Dean had said while he did not plan to make extreme changes, he did plan to make changes that would create a more efficient working environment for staff while also better serving the citizens.