The Odessa City Council unanimously appointed Aaron Smith as the city’s next city manager on Nov. 25, approving a resolution that makes his employment effective Dec. 1. The council also authorized the mayor to sign the employment agreement and directed the city secretary to post the agreement on the city’s website.

“ We had 3 excellent candidates,” the presiding officer said in explaining the council’s selection process, and the council said it favored an internal appointment after a multistage review earlier in the year. Council member Haney moved the resolution and Council member Stoker seconded; the motion carried by voice vote.

City officials praised Smith’s recent service in an interim capacity and said more staffing announcements — including a deputy city manager appointment — will follow. The resolution and its attached employment agreement were incorporated into the council’s public record as part of the approval.

The council took no additional personnel action at the meeting; Smith’s start date remains Dec. 1, per the approved resolution.