Friday, May. 16, 2008

Colleyville Must Find New Development Director

By Scott Price

Staff Writer

Scott Welmaker, Colleyville economic development manager, recently accepted a job in Mansfield, and Colleyville Fire Chief Mike Johnston is serving as interim manager.

Colleyville City Manager Bill Lindley said Johnston will serve in both positions. He said that he expects Johnston, who has served in the interim position for about a month, to have to wear both hats for about two months.

Lindley said Johnston was chosen for the job because he has experience dealing with developers in his capacity as fire chief, and that he was willing to take on the added responsibility.

Colleyville will begin a search for Welmaker’s replacement immediately.

"We will certainly do a recruitment to find someone on the state level," Lindley said.

Texas has a good talent pool of economic development professionals, Lindley said, so the process should not be too difficult.

The Economic Development Office is responsible for expanding Colleyville’s taxable base. The top priority is bringing retail development to the city.

Colleyville’s sales tax revenue has continued to increase each year because the city has successfully attracted new businesses.