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Flower Mound’s town manager fired in unanimous council vote

Profile image for Eden Stiffman
Eden Stiffman

After being placed on paid administrative leave in late September, Flower Mound’s town manager was fired Monday night.

In a special meeting, the Town Council voted unanimously to terminate Harlan Jefferson, who has worked for the city since 1997, when he was hired as finance director. He became town manager in 2006.

Officials have said little about the reasons behind the split.

“We really can’t go into the specifics,” Mayor Tom Hayden said after the meeting.

He said that at Jefferson’s request, the town has agreed to enter mutual confidentiality and nondefamation agreements.

In an interview last week, Hayden said: “I don’t feel we have the positive working relationship needed to accomplish the objectives the council has laid out.

“It doesn’t feel like the spirit of cooperation is there. It’s not about Mr. Jefferson personally. It’s about considering a new skill set, a new perspective to move the town forward.”

Jefferson’s contract, which was renewed in December, states that he serves at the “will and pleasure of the Town Council.”

His lawyer, Don Colleluori, said his client did not dispute Flower Mound’s right to fire him.

“Why they’d want to do that, whether they’re right or wrong, wasn’t really the issue to us,” he said.

“Mr. Jefferson’s been very pleased by the support of people in the community, and he wants to leave on a good note.”

Colleluori said his client’s severance pay will cover 22 months’ base pay plus benefits. His annual salary was $187,995.

The severance package will be paid from the town’s general fund. “It won’t have a meaningful impact on the town’s finances,” Hayden said.

A search for a new manager is set to begin immediately.

No additional action was taken Monday night regarding the duties of the interim town manager, Chuck Springer.

“We have confidence that he’ll do a fine job,” Hayden said.