Bedford city manager’s retirement leaves unanswered questions

The abrupt retirement last week of City Manager Beverly Griffith leaves many questions, most of which are not being answered.

City Council members, who accepted her retirement during an executive session on Feb. 10, declined to discuss the reasons behind Griffith’s decision and referred all questions to Mayor Jim Griffin.

He would simply say that Griffith’s performance evaluation was being discussed.

“It’s really more of a time for a leadership change, and that’s why we voted to accept her retirement,” Griffith said.

Griffith, who worked in Bedford for almost 20 years, did not return email or phone messages seeking comment.

Under an agreement with the city, Griffith will continue receiving her $160,344 salary and $7,200 car allowance for one year. She will also continue receiving her benefits.

The council will discuss options on searching for a new city manager in an executive session during its meeting Tuesday.

Police Chief Roger Gibson is serving as interim city manager.

Gibson said he will spend time meeting with the council members to discuss their goals for the city.

According to a news release from the city, Griffith was hired in 1995 as director of administrative services and oversaw financial aspects of the city including billing, municipal court and finance.

In 2005, she was promoted to deputy city manager, and she was named city manager in 2006.

Griffith helped Bedford recover from the property tax rollback election in 2005 and spearheaded projects including building a state-of-the art library and the plans for the Bedford Commons and the Boys Ranch Park makeover.

In March 2008, Griffith offered to resign after several council members complained that she was slow in providing information that they requested.

Her evaluation was also under discussion at the time

This story was originally published February 17, 2015 at 8:10 AM with the headline "Bedford city manager’s retirement leaves unanswered questions."