Watauga City Manager Scott Neils survived a call for his immediate termination Monday as the City Council voted 4-3 against the motion.
The crowded council chamber erupted in applause when the motion failed.Councilmen Mike Steele, Robert Davis and Russell Clements voted to fire Neils, the city manager since April 2011.Davis said the motion was made because of a "climate of distrust" surrounding Neils."I'm concerned about being misled about where he intends to further his agenda," Davis said during the meeting.Communication issues and a "willful lack of transparency" were the basis of most of 15 accusations cited by Clements in a Nov. 13 e-mail to council members and the city secretary."There has been an almost complete failure to communicate with the council regarding items of significant impact to the city," Clements wrote.In an e-mail Monday to council members and the public, Neils rebutted each of Clements' claims.Clements said he has no personal vendetta but objects to the way Neils does his job."One of the things that seems to characterize Dr. Neils' service is his take-charge attitude to get things done and not bother getting input from City Council," he said.A perception of a communication breakdown between Neils and the council fueled the movement, Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Krausse said."I think in some cases it was warranted to bring a concern on the method of communication or lack of communication," Krausse told the Star-Telegram. "But that doesn't warrant removing him from his position."Instead, Neils "got a good verbal lashing from the three who voted to have him removed," Krausse said.Mayor Harry Jeffries said he thought the attempt to fire Neils was "way out of line. I'm going to call it nonsense."The council session was "interesting," Neils told the Star-Telegram on Tuesday, adding that the outcome was a relief."This is a great city and I'm proud to work here," said Neils, who previously served as finance director.But he acknowledged dissension among the council members "that we need to work out together," Neils said."And we can."Terry Evans, 817-390-7620Twitter: @fwstevansHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
