Hays County terminates transportation director after extended performance-improvement period

The Hays County Commissioners Court voted on Aug. 12 to terminate the county transportation director following a multi-week performance-improvement plan (PIP) and a budget-season review of department operations.

Court members said concerns from departmental staff, municipal partners and court members centered on the director's management style, communication and the department's ability to coordinate with precinct commissioners and external partners. Eric Salazar (title in transcript: human-resources director), who oversaw the PIP process, told the court he had surveyed five direct reports; the staff survey results presented to commissioners showed strong negative responses on questions about collaboration, transparency and inclusion. Commissioners said in public discussion that interviews with outside governmental partners also reflected strained relationships.

The director, Jennifer Michigamba, addressed the court and said she had completed the weekly goals in the written PIP and described steps she had taken to bring staff together, hold monthly meetings and plan a departmental breakfast to increase interaction. She said she had been in the job only a short time and had been learning the department while trying to move forward on projects.

After a round of comments from commissioners, Commissioner Inglesby moved to terminate; the motion was seconded and the roll-call vote was: Inglesby, yes; Smith, yes; Cohen, yes; Hammer, yes; Judge Becerra, no. The motion carried, 4-1. Commissioners said they would follow personnel rules for transition and that any executive-session deliberations had been handled in accordance with the law.

Ending: The court moved the termination in open session at the employee's request to preserve a public record of the action; the county said it would follow standard personnel procedures for separation and any needed interim leadership in the Transportation Department.