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The City of Elgin, Texas is seeking an experienced law

enforcement professional to be the City’s next Police

Chief.

Nosfinger House Now City Hall circa 1902

Community:

Elgin was founded in August of 1872 was created by the Houston and Texas Central Railroad and named for Robert

Morris Elgin, the railroad’s land commissioner. Many of the original residents of the new town of Elgin came from

Perryville, or Hogeye as it was nicknamed, located 2 miles to the south. The

community was known by three different names. The post office was officially

named Young’s Settlement, and the churches and Masonic Lodge carried the

name Perryville. The name Hogeye was given to the stage stop at the Litton

home where the community dances were held and according to legend, the

fiddler knew only one tune, "Hogeye," which he played over and over as the

crowd danced on the puncheon floor. Elgin started out as a small rural

community 22 miles away from Austin. Today it is medium sized home ruled

city with a population of a little over 13,000, which is growing rapidly in close

proximity to the Cities of Austin, Manor, Bastrop, Georgetown and Round

Rock. While there are still some homes on large lots in the more rural older

neighborhoods, in the past 20 years, most of the growth has been filled in with

Robert Morris Elgin

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retail development and newer subdivisions. Elgin is a little over seven square miles in size and with a population

that is estimated to quadruple in 15 years and double in 3 years. The city has a vibrant retail community which has

helped the community remain both financially and politically independent. While being separate from Austin,

Georgetown, and Round Rock, residents enjoy many benefits of being close to these cities, but with the ability to

live in a smaller

community. Elgin is located within the Elgin Independent School District (EISD). There are three elementary

schools, one middle school and one high school for Elgin and the neighboring area; these are located in Elgin as

well as the Elgin ACC Campus. The Police Department and other city departments have a close relationship with

Elgin Independent School District and ACC.

Location and Characteristics:

The City of Elgin is located at the junction of US 290 and State Highway (SH) 95 approximately 20 miles due east

of Austin. Though most of the City is within Bastrop County, recent expansion and annexation to the west places

a small portion of the City and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is in northeastern Travis County.

The City has a history of environmental and historical stewardship, maintaining a large amount of open space and

park land with hike and bike trails, developing and maintaining its historic district and Main Street. The City also

has strong diversified economy with an Economic Development Corporation that works closely with the City of

Elgin Chamber of Commerce to attract industry and retail development to Elgin. A significant number of residents

participate in community events, volunteer opportunities, and input into local government.

Race and Ethnicity:

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, approximately 43 percent of Elgin’s population is white, 12.3 percent is black

or African American, 44 percent of Elgin’s population is of Hispanic or Latino origin, with 42 percent of the

population speaking Spanish at home, and small percentages of the population fall under other categories such

as American Indian and Alaska Native, and Asian.

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Housing:

Elgin’s housing stock is primarily comprised of single-family detached units with small percentages of duplexes,

multi-family residences, and mobile homes. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, approximately 67 percent of

Elgin’s housing stock is owner-occupied with 33 percent renter occupied.

Major Area Employers:

Elgin’s largest employers are listed below. Like many small communities, the school district is the largest local

employer. This will likely continue as Elgin grows its residential base and adds additional schools to the

community. Three of the top five employers are local brick manufactures, which is no surprise given Elgin’s title

as the Brick Capital of the Southwest.

Elgin benefits from the rapidly growing economy of the Austin region, which provides a variety of job opportunities

in relatively close range of the community. According to the 2000 census, the average commute time to work for

Elgin residents was just under 30 minutes.

However, jobs in the Austin region are only available to residents who have transportation options.

City of Elgin Guiding Principles

Mission Statement:

• Preserve the local history, natural landscape, and creative spirit that together give Elgin its unique sense of place.

• Connect the community and region to ensure that all residents have access to safe and affordable modes of

transportation.

• Foster sustainable development patterns that are accessible and accommodate the diverse needs of all residents,

especially those of future generations.

• Regulate development in a manner that facilitates economic growth while also ensuring that the built

environment respects the local character and values of the community.

• Attract the kind of development that strengthens the property tax base, provides local employment, and

improves the diversity of options within the community.

Business Name Number of

Employees

Elgin ISD 664

Acme Brick Company 162

HEB Grocery 127

Elgin-Butler Brick 81

Hanson Brick Company 80

City of Elgin 73

IMT 59

Accurate Elastomer Products 50

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• Promote development that creates a safe community now and in the future.

• Balance the traditions and values of the old with the innovation and diversity of the new.

Governance: The City of Elgin is a Home Rule Law City, created

under the Local Government Code and operating under the enabling

legislation of the State of Texas. The City is governed by a City

Council composed of a Mayor, who is elected at large and eight

Council Members, from four wards that are elected by ward for two-

year staggered terms.

The Council Members are the policy making body of the City. The

City Manager is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive

Officer. The City Council has been delegated the exclusive authority

to adopt employment policies, unless other state and federal laws or

regulations otherwise limit such authority. In addition to the City

Officers and Staff, there are a number of Commissions, Boards and

Committees whose volunteer members are appointed by the City

Council. The Council has appointed members to a Public Safety

Committee to advise on issues relating to the Police Department and Emergency Services.

The City Council appoints a City Manager to be the chief administrative officer of the City. The City Manager is

responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of the City organization. The current City Manager is Tom

Mattis, who has over thirty-four years’ experience in public administration. Under City ordinances and policies

adopted by the City Council, the City Manager is the supervisor of all department heads. The City Manager is

responsible for recommending appointment of a Police Chief to oversee the Police Department.

City Hall Today

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The Position:

The City of Elgin is replacing a retiring Police Chief, after serving in the position for nine years. The new Police

Chief will take command of a police agency charged with providing a very

high level of service to the Elgin community. The Chief supervises a

department with 20 sworn certified personnel, one animal control officer,

5 certified telecommunications officers and two administrative support

personnel. The approved FY 2016-2017 annual budget for the Police

Department Operations is $2,100,000. Reporting directly to the Chief are

the Assistant Chief, and the Lieutenant. There is no residency requirement

for the Chief of Police to live in Elgin city limits, but the Chief is required

to reside within the area so that in case of emergency or urgent need they

can be in Elgin in thirty minutes or less. The Chief also serves as the

emergency management coordinator for the City. Elgin employees live in

a variety of locations within the Elgin, Bastrop, Manor, Round Rock and

Georgetown metro areas.

The Police Department maintains a fleet of modern vehicles equipped with laptop computers and video cameras.

Officers are equipped with personal video cameras. Dispatch and 911 calls are handled by the Elgin Police

Department’s Communication Center, which is a 911 center and the backup for Bastrop County’s 911 Center. The

Elgin Police Department operates under a philosophy of community oriented policing. The Department has a very

Exhibit ComprehensiStudy Area Featu

Source: Wilbur Smith

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positive image in the community and residents speak favorably about the Department’s neighborhood patrols and

Officer’s interactions with them.

The City Council is in the process of considering its 5-year Capital Improvement Plan which may include a new

Police Building for the Department. The Elgin Police Department now resides in an historic building located at

202 Depot Street.

While providing quality services to the residential areas of

Elgin, the Police Department is also charged with providing

Police services to the dynamic commercial area of the City. A

significant percentage of the calls for service to the

Department come from the commercial area and the adjacent

roadways. Revenues generated from the commercial area are

very important to the City of Elgin. For this reason, the City

and the Police Department have committed to providing a

safe environment to both citizens and visitors to the City.

In seeking to fill this position, the City is looking for an

experienced law enforcement manager who has a reputation

of being a strong leader. The new Chief must have the ability to build trust and confidence in a police agency

providing an elevated level of personalized service to the community and have a reputation for open

communications within a police department. The City’s preference is for candidates who have strong experience in

patrol, criminal investigations and community relations and whose career in law enforcement shows steady

progression through the ranks of a police agency. Elgin contracts with the Bastrop and Travis County Emergency

Service District I for Fire Protection and Countywide EMS service is provided by Bastrop County. Coordination

with these and other area Law Enforcement agencies is critical to providing services to Elgin residents.

Specific areas of knowledge and experience that are desirable include:

Knowledge of the preparation, presentation, implementation and management of a police department operating

budget.

Knowledge of personnel management and employment law and their application in a police agency.

Familiarity with the development of consistent, fair and effective disciplinary and promotional practices.

Experience in expanding and supporting community-oriented policing philosophy in a police department.

Experience with the development of effective relationships between the police department and residents, civic

and business groups.

A successful record of developing and maintaining positive relationships with other local, state and federal law

enforcement agencies.

A successful record of developing and maintaining training program and certification program for the members

of the police department that improves employee retention and satisfaction.

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A successful record of obtaining various grants from various sources to help improve the City’s Police

Department.

Experience in reviewing and analyzing reports, legislation, court cases and related matters; prepare initial

responses for legal actions; prepare ordinances for consideration by the City Manager and City Council.

Has completed all FEMA Emergency Management courses for Incident Command.

Initial Priorities:

The new Police Chief will join an organization

committed to providing high quality police

services to a community whose residents have

elevated expectations. The new Police Chief will

be expected to quickly become familiar with the

community and with the standard operating

procedures for the Police Department. In

addition, the new Police Chief will expect to give

attention to the following issues.

Community Oriented Policing-The Council and

City Manager strongly support the philosophy

embodied in community oriented policing.

They will expect the new Police Chief to quickly become familiar with the operations and personnel of the Police

Department and with the expectations of residents. Based upon this initial evaluation, the Chief should look for

ways to strengthen this aspect of the Department’s operations.

Equipment and Technology Issues-Concerns have been voiced about the quality and condition of the Police

Department’s technology. The City Manager will look to the Police Chief to develop a process for analyzing the

department’s equipment and technology requirements and for developing a plan for meeting the department’s needs

in these areas in coordination with the City’s overall Information Technology systems.

If the City Council decides to move forward with its Capital Improvements and a new Police Department Building

is considered; the new Chief will be involved with transition planning that will occur during the construction process

and is expected to become familiar with the building plans and provide oversight to the construction process.

Personal Characteristics:

The Elgin City Council and City Manager see the Police Chief as an extremely important participant in the City’s

efforts to maintain a safe, high quality environment in the community. As a result, they are looking for candidates

who have established a successful track record of being out in the community and visible as well as accessible to

people throughout the community.

Police Department at the school

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Personal Characteristics: (Cont’d.)

In evaluating applicants for this position, the City will be looking for

candidates who have the following characteristics and competencies:

A person with a proven record of absolute integrity and fairness in

the application of policies and discipline and in the treatment of Police

Department personnel.

A person who is seen as caring, open and accessible to personnel at

all levels.

A person with a record of being accessible and responsive to citizens

from all sectors of the community.

An excellent communicator who can effectively represent the Police

Department and communicate law enforcement issues including the needs, expectations and limitations of the

department to the community, the media, Police personnel and the City Council.

A person who sets high standards for him/herself and others in the department, and who is an effective delegator

with the ability to assign responsibilities to subordinate personnel and hold them accountable for results.

A decisive leader who is open to the ideas of others and who seeks to involve people at all levels of the

department in problem solving and decision making.

A person who is an effective developer, motivator and evaluator of subordinate personnel and who has a

reputation for providing training and education equitably for all personnel.

An ability to evaluate the effectiveness of existing and proposed programs and develop recommendations for

improving the organization.

A fiscally responsible manager who is able to balance the needs of the department with the financial resources

of the community.

An innovative and creative thinker who is not afraid to consider new technologies, equipment, training, and

police practices. Someone who can come up with new and creative solutions.

An apolitical leader who has the courage to speak openly, with diplomacy and tact, to the City Council and the

public about policy matters and other issues related to the Police Department.

A person with a reputation as a team player, able to work effectively with other members of the City’s executive team.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s Degree or Master TCOLE certificate is required. In addition, candidates must have ten years of

pertinent experience including at least five years of supervisory experience, preferably as a division commander,

assistant police chief or police chief, and military experience will be considered. Any equivalent combination of

experience and degrees and/or certificates will be considered.

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Compensation:

The range for this position is up $100K, depending

upon background, qualifications and experience.

The City participates in the Texas Municipal

Retirement System (TMRS) with an employee

contribution rate of 7% and a 2:1 match by the City.

The City also participates in Social Security and

offers STD, Vision and Differed Compensation

insurance coverage. The City offers vacation and

sick leave benefits. Medical, Dental, Life, LTD and

AD&D insurance benefits are paid for by the City.

A take home car also goes with this position.

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Application and Selection Process:

The position is considered to be open until filled. The first review of resumes will be on September 11th, 2017. To

be considered for this position, please submit a statement of interest, résumé and current salary information to

Barbara Wilson by e-mail to bwilson@ci.elgin.tx.us.

Please note: Applicants selected as finalists will be subject to an education verification, criminal history, driver’s

record check, as well as reference check prior to final interviews. Under the Texas Public Information Act,

information from your résumé may be subject to release to the public at any time during the process.

To learn more about Elgin, please visit the website at www.elgin.tx.com. For additional information about this

position, please contact Barbara Wilson at 512-229-3224.

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