Sugar Land City Manager Allen Bogard recently announced several organizational changes intended to “ensure efficient operations” in providing current services during uncertain economic conditions that are expected to continue during the current budget cycle.
Addressing a revenue decline mainly due to lower sales tax revenue and interest income, the City of Sugar Land has “streamlined” several operations to maintain services despite the elimination of 20 positions though attrition.
Community and Environmental Services Director Mike Goodrum was promoted to fill the vacant position of director of public works. As director, Goodrum will continue to have responsibility for the oversight of many of the Community and Environmental programs but will also assume the responsibility for the Public Works department.
Goodrum started with the City as a Parks and Recreation intern in 1999.
He was hired as Parks and Recreation development coordinator in 2001, later serving as parks administrator, parks administrative manager and management assistant in the City Manager’s office. He was promoted to community and environmental director in 2006 where he developed and led the city’s rental registration program.
Goodrum earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M University and is currently working toward a master of business administration from the University of Houston.
Doug Schomburg has been promoted to city planner to lead the city’s planning efforts. He previously served as assistant city planner, a position that will not be re-filled.
Schomburg has worked for Sugar Land since 1999, serving as a planner, senior planner, assistant city planner and interim planning director. He also served as a planner with the City of Abilene for four years.
Schomburg earned a bachelor’s degree in geography and planning (urban and regional planning) and a master’s degree in land development and management from Texas State University. He is a member of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners.
The city’s new streamlined structure eliminates two management positions, building on the reduction of 11 full-time positions in October. The FY2011 budget includes the elimination of 20 positions totaling $1.4 million from the general fund. This is being accomplished through attrition (without layoffs) utilization of technology and reallocation of workload amongst existing employees.
Sugar Land experienced a decline in revenues compared to budget estimates during the last year. The main impact has been in sales tax and interest income.
