Freeport, Texas City Manager PositionCast™
Recruiting Freeport’s Next City Manager
Episode Summary
Episode 06 of The Clear Voice features a PositionCast™ conversation focused on the City Manager recruitment for Freeport, Texas. This episode gives candidates a direct look at the community, the Mayor and Council’s expectations, the city’s development opportunities, and the type of leader who can help Freeport move into its next chapter.
In this conversation, James Groom is joined by Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals, James Hopper, Vice President at Clear Career Professionals, and Freeport Mayor Jerry Cain. They discuss Freeport’s coastal quality of life, development potential, organizational culture, housing needs, downtown revitalization, community events, and the leadership style needed to succeed.
This opportunity is especially relevant for City Managers, Assistant City Managers, and municipal executives who want to lead in a coastal Texas community with significant opportunity for residential development, commercial development, economic growth, and long term impact.
Why This Matters for City Manager Recruitment
The City Manager role in Freeport is a major leadership opportunity for someone who wants to build, mentor, and leave a lasting imprint on a community.
Freeport has been through transition, but the Mayor, Council, and staff have maintained a positive and forward looking attitude. Michael Boese and James Hopper both note that the organization has faced challenges, but has not allowed those challenges to define the future.
For candidates, this is not a maintenance role. It is an opportunity to help guide land development, support staff, strengthen internal leadership, revitalize downtown, and help shape the next generation of Freeport’s growth.
A Coastal Texas Community with Room to Grow
Freeport is a small coastal city with access to the beach, the Brazos River, fishing, kayaking, boating, jet skiing, seafood, parks, splash pads, soccer fields, and community events. Mayor Cain describes it as a quiet coastal town with a small town feel and a strong connection to the water.
Freeport also benefits from local industry and short commute times for many residents who work nearby. For candidates and families, the community offers a combination of coastal living, outdoor recreation, employment access, and the chance to be part of a city with meaningful growth potential.
This location is one of the strongest selling points of the recruitment. The next City Manager will have the opportunity to live and work in a coastal Texas community where quality of life and professional impact can come together.
Leadership Expectations for the Next City Manager
Mayor Cain is looking for a City Manager who is community oriented, visible, honest, transparent, and willing to get involved. Freeport is not looking for someone who only sits behind a desk.
The city has many younger employees and staff members who have the right attitude and ability, but still need mentoring and leadership. The next City Manager should be able to lead by example, support staff development, and help employees continue growing into their roles.
Mayor Cain also emphasizes balance. Freeport needs someone who is loyal to employees, but also firm enough to make hard decisions when needed. The right leader will not rule with an iron fist, but also will not avoid accountability.
Land Development, Housing, and Freeport’s Next Chapter
Land development is one of the central themes of this episode. Mayor Cain identifies residential and commercial development as the first major priority for Freeport’s next chapter.
The city currently has a high percentage of rental housing, and the Mayor wants to see more young professional homeowners in the community. Residential development is viewed as a key step toward strengthening the local tax base, increasing household income, and creating long term community stability.
Freeport also has development projects already in motion. The next City Manager will need to help maintain momentum, work with developers, protect the city’s interests, and ensure that future projects create a true win for the community.
Downtown Revitalization and Destination Development
Downtown revitalization is another major opportunity for the next City Manager. Mayor Cain describes a vision where historic downtown Freeport is active, thriving, and filled with businesses and visitors.
The episode also discusses property owned by the Economic Development Corporation, locally known as the 8.8 acres. This waterfront property on the Brazos River has the potential to become a destination that draws people into Freeport and creates new activity in the community.
For candidates with experience in economic development, downtown revitalization, waterfront development, public private partnerships, or strategic planning, Freeport offers a meaningful opportunity to help turn vision into visible results.
Organizational Culture and Staff Development
Freeport’s city organization has a strong group of employees, including many younger staff members who are still developing experience. That makes mentorship and internal leadership a major part of this role.
The next City Manager should be comfortable investing in people, setting expectations, coaching department heads, and creating a culture where employees can grow while still being held accountable.
James Hopper notes that the city organization is looking for a leader who can guide both the departments and the community. That leadership role is essential because Freeport needs someone who can stabilize, develop, and align the organization around future priorities.
Community Events and Quality of Life
Freeport has several annual community events that contribute to local identity and quality of life. Mayor Cain mentions the city’s long running fishing tournament, barbecue cook off, RiverFest, boat races on the Brazos, and Fright Fest, a Halloween event that includes trunk or treat, a costume contest, a petting zoo, and family activities.
These events matter because they help define the city’s personality. They also give the next City Manager opportunities to be visible, build relationships, and show residents that city leadership is engaged in community life.
For a small city, community presence is not optional. It is part of building trust and understanding what residents value.
Compensation, Benefits, and Candidate Fit
The Freeport City Manager position was posted with a salary range of $170,000 to $200,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The city also offers standard municipal benefits, including TMRS retirement with a 7 percent contribution and 2 to 1 match, along with a vehicle allowance and relocation assistance.
The Council understands that housing may be a challenge, so the City Manager may live within a reasonable distance from the city, generally within a 30 mile radius. At the same time, the expectation is that the City Manager will be part of the community, attend events, build relationships, and be present in Freeport.
That balance matters. The city wants someone who understands the importance of local presence, but also recognizes the practical realities of housing availability.
What Success Looks Like in the Role
Success in Freeport will require momentum. The next City Manager should help continue residential development, support commercial growth, advance downtown revitalization, develop staff, and guide the organization through major opportunities.
Mayor Cain sees Freeport five to ten years from now with completed housing development, another housing project underway, a thriving historic downtown, active businesses, and the 8.8 acres developed into a destination on the Brazos River.
The right candidate will be a builder, mentor, communicator, negotiator, and practical local government executive who can turn opportunity into progress.
What Candidates Can Learn from This PositionCast™
This PositionCast™ gives candidates a clearer understanding of the Freeport City Manager opportunity than a job posting alone can provide. The episode explains the Mayor’s expectations, the city’s organizational needs, the development challenges, the community’s coastal identity, and the kind of leader who can succeed.
For City Managers, Assistant City Managers, and municipal executives considering a Texas City Manager recruitment opportunity, Freeport offers a rare combination of location, challenge, and impact.
The right candidate will be community oriented, transparent, staff focused, development minded, and ready to help Freeport grow in a way that benefits residents, businesses, and future generations.
More Information
For more information about the City Manager position in Freeport, Texas, including job details and application materials, visit the Career Opportunities section at Clear Career Professionals.
About The Clear Voice Podcast
The Clear Voice is a dedicated platform for transparency and expert led dialogue within the professional and public sectors. The show serves as a vital resource for leaders who want to move past surface level discussions and dive into the real world mechanics of governance, management, and organizational growth. James Groom is the host of the program. As the Vice President of Clear Career Professionals and a retired Police Chief, James brings a unique, high stakes perspective to every conversation. His background in public service and executive leadership allows him to extract practical, actionable insights from industry experts that help modern organizations function with total clarity.
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About Clear Career Professionals
Clear Career Professionals is a specialized recruitment and strategic consulting firm focused on the public sector. We believe that the strength of any municipality or school district lies in the quality of its leadership and the cohesion of its teams.Our team is comprised of former practitioners and retired executives who understand the nuances of public service. We provide organizations with more than just a list of candidates; we provide the strategic oversight and expertise necessary to navigate transitions, maximize taxpayer funds, and implement long term solutions.
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