Bauer resigns as city manager
After almost six years as Holton’s city manager, Bret Bauer will soon be moving on.
The Holton City Commission voted to accept Bauer’s resignation as city manager near the close of Monday’s regular meeting, it was reported. Holton City Clerk Teresa Riley said that Bauer’s last day on the job in Holton will be Thursday, June 16.
Bauer has served as city manager here since July of 2010, coming to Holton from Smithville, Mo., where he served as an assistant city administrator. His next job will be as city manager of Gun Barrel City, Texas, a community of about 5,600 located about 55 miles southeast of Dallas.
Riley said commissioners did not immediately initiate action to find a replacement for Bauer upon acceptance of his resignation letter, which included a 60-day notice. She added that commissioners would likely address the matter at a future meeting.
During his time as Holton’s city manager, Bauer has been instrumental in overseeing improvements to the Holton Industrial Park, helping the city to reduce its debt obligations by more than half and promoting the half-cent sales tax initiative passed by voters in October 2013.
According to the Athens Review newspaper in Athens, Texas, Gun Barrel City Mayor Dennis Baade on Monday noted Bauer’s “proven track record in economic development, fiscal responsibility and managing high-quality projects… We believe his energy, experience and commitment to the professional management of our city will be a great asset to our citizens, business owners and other stakeholders.”