Rowlett council says it has provided corrective action, orders management review after public outcry

The Rowlett City Council returned from a closed executive session late Friday and read a joint statement saying it had provided corrective action to the interim city manager and would increase council oversight.

"Following our discussion tonight, the city council has provided corrective action to the city manage the interim city manager," the presiding official said in a prepared statement, adding the action "is firm and it will include increased involvement by the city council." The statement committed to "frequent reviews of performance, activities, communication, and progress until the permanent city manager position is filled."

The statement also announced that the council will discuss selection of a search firm during a May 18 work session and said the city will engage an independent consultant "to perform a management review of the department" to "identify the desired characteristics and skills that are needed in the future fire chief and to refine the recruitment process." The council said the consultant will interview department personnel "from all ranks and all levels of tenure within the fire service."

Council members framed the actions as efforts to restore trust and stability after several residents and firefighters raised concerns about personnel decisions and department morale during the public comment period. The statement encouraged continued public engagement and said the council intends to approach the permanent city manager search "strategically, deliberately, and with the long term interests of Rowlett in mind."

No formal vote was reported during open session when the statement was read; the council characterized the steps as corrective direction and consensus-driven oversight measures rather than a final disciplinary vote.