Eric Garretty
Graham,TX
Summary
Experienced local government leader, manager, and team builder. Servant leader in local government profession for 13 years, 9 years as a City Manager. Advanced fiscal management and budgeting skills. Developed and implemented multiple, multi-million-dollar, Capital Improvement projects (water, wastewater, parks, streets). Provided oversight for development of innovative economic development programs. Collaborative leader who produces positive outcomes for citizens and the Council. Skilled at leading departments, improving transparency in government and building positive relationships with government agencies, community organizations and members of the public.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
City Manager
City of Graham, Texas
10.2022 - Current
- Coordinated with Finance Director and City Council to implement sound financial practices through formal fiscal management policies
- Completely revamped City's Budgeting System
- Improved City's S&P Rating from BBB- to A
- Led process to acquire $12M in new debt for Wastewater Treatment Plant rehabilitation
- Led $3.1M dollar water improvement project to make water distribution more resilient
- Led effort to obtain $300,000 grant for Comprehensive Plan Development
- Facilitated development of City’s first formal Capital Plan and Strategic Plan
- Facilitated regular Town Hall events
- Developed and mentored two different Economic Development Directors which resulted in bringing a new manufacturer to the City (30+ jobs) and 20+ new home starts
City Manager
City of Mexia, Texas
11.2017 - 10.2022
- Developed a positive relationship with City Council and the Finance Director which resulted in a multi-year effort to raise the tax rate to a level that achieved structural balance and resulted in a substantial increase to the City’s General Fund reserve
- Worked extensively with Economic Development Corporation on Industrial Park redevelopment ($2M grant-funded project) and recruitment of industry to the Industrial Park
- Implemented three major debt issuances totaling over $5M) to address structural deficiencies in capital infrastructure which resulted in a major park rehabilitation, acquisition of a new fire apparatus, and a funded street improvement program
- Led $3M project to completely reconstruct the City’s Library after a devastating fire
- Coordinated emergency management efforts with City and County leaders during Winter Storm Uri – provided water services during a seven-day outage
- Developed and implemented the City’s first, formal Capital Improvement Plan.
- Engaged in mentorship of City staff and implemented core values for the city (Courage, Commitment, and Compassion)
- Named 2021 Citizen of the Year by the Mexia Area Chamber of Commerce
Budget Manager
City of Fort Worth, Texas
01.2016 - 11.2017
- Prepared detailed financial forecasts and reports for presentation to senior leaders and elected officials
- Developed Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan for presentation to City Council.
- Provided analysis and technical guidance on the appropriation of General Obligation Debt for over $100M in major capital projects
- Successfully guided interdepartmental program for reconciliation of overdrawn and inactive Capital Projects
- Provided detailed analysis on existing bond issuances
Strategic Performance Coordinator
City of Hallandale Beach, Florida
03.2015 - 12.2015
- Brought the City's new performance measurement reporting system online and enabled dashboard reports for monthly progress
- Enabled innovative approaches to the oversight and management of Developer Agreements in support of economic development goals.
Management and Budget Analyst
Broward County, Florida
07.2013 - 03.2015
- Provided expert analytic support and programmatic development for multiple Agencies within the County's Capital Improvement Program including Transportation Capital (e.g., Road Construction and Road Maintenance programs), Water and Wastewater Services, and Water Management
- Developed and prepared Agenda Items for submission to the Board of County Commissioners
Commander/Chief Administrative Officer – 8th Battalion
US Military Entrance Processing Command – Montgomery, Alabama
06.2005 - 07.2013
- Served as Chief Administrative Office/Commander for multi-faceted organization with operational oversight for five other satellite facilities in Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and the panhandle of Florida
- Managed positive relationships with multiple localities and military agencies for the co-use of facilities
- Served as Informal Dispute Resolution Officer and Agency Representative to the local Union (American Federation of Government Employees Local 997)
- Developed record of accomplishment as a leader trusted by Union leadership to resolve grievances fairly and in accordance with the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Established key relationships with external and internal stakeholders including the Maxwell Air Force Base Commander, Alabama Office of the Governor, Florida National Guard, and the United States Navy
Education
Master of Science - Management, Systems Analysis, Financial Management
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CA12-2002
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Mississippi
University01-1990
Skills
- Budgeting
- Investment Alignment
- Transparent Government
- Economic Development
- Capital Improvement Planning
- Strategic Planning
- Project Management
- Community Engagement
- Leader Development
Affiliations
Texas City Management Association
International City Management Association
Certification
- ICMA Credentialed Manager
- Certified Public Manager
Publications
Master’s Thesis, An economic analysis of acquisition opportunities for the United States Department of Defense within the Japanese defense industrial base, calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/3925/02Dec_Garretty.pdf?sequence=1
Timeline
City Manager
City of Graham, Texas
10.2022 - Current
City Manager
City of Mexia, Texas
11.2017 - 10.2022
Budget Manager
City of Fort Worth, Texas
01.2016 - 11.2017
Strategic Performance Coordinator
City of Hallandale Beach, Florida
03.2015 - 12.2015
Management and Budget Analyst
Broward County, Florida
07.2013 - 03.2015
Commander/Chief Administrative Officer – 8th Battalion
US Military Entrance Processing Command – Montgomery, Alabama
06.2005 - 07.2013
Master of Science - Management, Systems Analysis, Financial Management
Naval Postgraduate School
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Mississippi