City Manager - Mike Barrow

City Manager's Remarks 
"Different citizens have different wants for their community. It is always true that, as a city, we have limited funds and limited staff, but it is my goal that all city departments have good priorities and that those priorities are well-known by all our staff. I don't want the city to have the appearance of "Big Government". Our department heads will always look at the work that needs to be accomplished and make the necessary changes that will make the city efficient and effective. We will work to improve our policies and ordinances, provide good equipment to our staff, and ensure our employees are result oriented before we just arbitrarily add employees. With over 20 years of experience with Municipal Government, Municipal and Private Utilities, and Environmental Study, my focus has always been to promote high quality and efficiency and to create professionals and leaders within an organization."

Areas that I consider of vital importance to Henderson are:

• Beautification and cleanliness of the city as a whole
• Economic development
• Downtown vitality and preservation
• Improved strategic planning
• Providing recreation opportunities and healthy activities

City Manager Position 
The City of Henderson has a council-manager form of government. The city manager is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council and acts as the chief executive officer of the city and advisor to the City Council.

The city manager makes recommendations to the City Council and is responsible for day-to-day operations of the city, including supervising each departmental director and administering and enforcing the policies set forth by the council and managing the city’s finances.

The City Manager works with the council, city staff, and citizens to establish council policies, legislation, employee policies, and long-range goals and objectives. 

City Manager Biography 
City of Henderson Positions

• October 2000 to September 2008 - Director of Utilities
• October 2008 to May 2010 - Assistant City Manager
• May 2010 to Present - City Manager

Prior to the City of Henderson, Barrow worked with numerous cities and private industries from 1990 to 1997, to improve their relationships and compliance with state and federal environmental agencies. From 1997 to present, Barrow has had an increasing role in municipal government in all areas of public utilities and public works, city codes and code enforcement, fire department procedures and policies, city finances, and department efficiencies.

Barrow is in the Certified Public Manager Program at Stephen F. Austin State University and is the secretary for the East Texas Housing Development Foundation (East Texas Council of Governments), a member of Texas City Managers Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Works Association, Henderson Lions Club, and Keep Henderson Beautiful.

Mike and his wife Belinda have been married for 19 years and have a 16 year old daughter who attends Henderson ISD.