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San MarcosPosted October 4, 2007, midnight
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Hays Highway Editor
SAN MARCOS — During the city's budget cycle a little more than a year ago, City Manager Dan O'Leary told the city council that a good number of city employees were nearing retirement age.
O'Leary didn't mention that he was one of them.
As he gave his staff report to the city council Tuesday night, O'Leary announced that he's leaving the city, ending a 28-year career. O'Leary said he and his wife, Brenda, are moving to Fort Worth so they can be active grandparents in the life of a new granddaughter recently adopted by their daughter Vanessa and her husband, Brian Seale.
The council named O'Leary to his city manager position in August 2002 after an interim appointment. O'Leary took over in the midst of economic doldrums following the tech bust and the September 11 disaster. Among his first acts were layoffs and a reduction in the city's work force, but the city has grown back to 500 employees and a total budget of $136 million.
Among O'Leary's achievements are the 2006 reconstruction of Rio Vista Falls, the completion of the city's first railroad overpass, the negotiations on a 10-story hotel with an 80,000-square-foot city conference center and the opening of a permit center to improve the development process.
"Any achievements this City has made in the last five years have been the result of a dedicated city Council and a committed team of city employees,” O’Leary said. “I have been honored to serve with so many talented people who care so deeply about the San Marcos community."
O'Leary's resignation is effective on Dec. 14.
Before his appointment as city manager, O'Leary served for 23 years with San Marcos Fire Rescue, including the last 14 years as the city's fire chief.
"It’s bitter-sweet to see him leave," San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz said, "but we return him to his family with our gratitude."
O'Leary first went to work for the city as a fire fighter in 1979 after receiving a bachelors degree in education from Texas State University in 1976. O'Leary worked his way through the ranks and became fire chief in 1988. O’Leary also coordinated the city’s emergency management operation.
In 1991, O'Leary served as interim planning director for six months. In 1996, he completed his masters in public administration from Texas State.
"Dan O’Leary has given the city all of himself for the last 28 years," said Mayor Susan Narvaiz. "He came to San Marcos as a student, fell in love with the community and gave his best service and his best years back to us. He has supported the city council in our efforts and has been a source of continuity, strength, experience and passion — all the attributes of a great leader."
O’Leary and his wife Brenda have three children – Vanessa Seale of Fort Worth, Megan O’Leary of San Marcos and Sean O’Leary, a student at Texas State University.
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