Kenneth R. Williams was appointed as the City Manager of the City of Buda, effective September 2008.
Mr. Williams is responsible for the day-to-day business of the city government internal operations of the city, which consist of a $12 million dollar budget; sets strategic direction to achieve the city’s community sustainability goals; implements council determined policies; coordinates community issues between city departments; and supervises the work of nine departments. Mr. Williams previously held positions with the City of Diboll as City Manager (2006-2008); the City of Lufkin as Director of Public Works (1997-2004), before becoming their Assistant City Manager of Administrative Services (2004-2006), he also served as the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator. During his tenure as the Emergency Management Coordinator, he was responsible for coordinating the City’s response to the Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Some of the major projects that have come to fruition during his tenure as Buda City Manager include:
• The relocation of the U.S. Foodservice new 290,000 square foot, $50-million food distribution facility that current workforce of about 250 will grow to more than 400 over the next decade.
• The Comprehensive Plan which evaluates where Buda is today and look at components of the city such as downtown, parks, city infrastructure, and quality of life. The plan will help develop a citizen-created vision for how the city grows over the next 10 to 20 years.
• Inception of the Buda Police Department in 2010. The high growth rate of Buda, increasing contract costs and the ability to manage its own law enforcement agency were factors in the City deciding to develop its own department.
• The reconstruction of the Main Street Overpass and intersection on IH-35. The Overpass will be raised approximately 8’ in height, the low area under the overpass will be raised to ground level and the entrance and exit ramps will be reconstructed. There will also be new traffic lights installed on Main Street at Old San Antonio Road and both sides of IH-35.
Mr. Williams holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin University and an Associate of Science degree in Business from Angelina College. He participates in a number of governmental organizations, which include the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Texas City Manager Association, Texas Municipal League, and the International City Managers Associations. Mr. Williams is also actively involved in the community as a board member for the Hays County YMCA, Buda Economic Development Corporation and the Hays Caldwell Public Utility Agency. He also referees NCAA and High School Basketball.
Mr. Williams has received the following awards:
Pinnacle Award 2004- Citizen Chamber of Commerce
Golden Anvil Award 1998- Lufkin/Angelina Chamber of Commerce
Community Development Employee of the Year 1996
Delta Distinguished Service Award in Community Achievement 1995