In the wake of more employees leaving Buda staff, city officials have decided to intensify their efforts to establish a mentoring and coaching program they hope could improve retention.
The program could also help prepare the next generation of city staff and promote leadership training as well.
Buda Human Resources Manager Kristin Williams said the program was first suggested by City Manager Kenneth Williams last year.
The goal of the program is to prepare the next generation of city employees to take the place of those retiring as well as to offer advanced career opportunities from within the organization.”
Kristin Williams said the recent departures of Drew Wells, former Buda Parks and Recreation Director, and Brian Lillibridge, the city’s former Water Specialist, and the roll out of the mentoring/coaching program was a mere coincidence.
Lillibridge and Wells both left Buda’s city staff in July.
Wells took a position with the city of San Marcos as Assistant Director of Community Services, while Lillibridge is now the assistant director of public works for the City of Kyle.
Kristin Williams said many of the people who leave Buda to work for other cities are doing so due to the advancement opportunities available in larger municipalities.
Kristin Williams said that while Buda is growing, it hasn’t quite reached the size of San Marcos or even Kyle, which leaves the city at a disadvantage.
She said the city doesn’t often have advancement opportunities within a department and is subject to “scouting” from larger cities.
“We’re finding it more difficult to give opportunities for advancement, so what we want to think more about is how do we create more opportunities that don’t necessarily change their role, but provide some new skill set so they feel they’re growing as individuals,” Kristin Williams said.
Under the new program, mentors are appointed from the city’s network of current directors and managers. Those mentors would be asked to complete a mentor-training program.
“I think we have an opportunity right now with this program to start finding those skill sets and if we have someone who’s showing potential, start investing a lot more into that person,” Kristin Williams said.
She wants to build camaraderie among employees with various monthly meetings, activities and possibly a staff retreat in the future.
The Hays Free Press reached out to both Wells and Lillibridge regarding the reasons behind their recent transitions out of Buda.
Lillibridge said his position with Kyle as Assistant Director of Public Works gives him more opportunities to be directly involved in all aspects of city infrastructure instead of focusing on just one.
He said in that his new position with Kyle “provides any opportunity to be directly involved in all areas of city services- water, wastewater, streets and drainage.”
Wells said his new position differs from his former position in Buda, as San Marcos has more fully established athletics and activities programs at this time.
“The opportunity to work for a larger organization with more resources in terms of parks, facilities, programs and personnel was just that – an opportunity,” Wells said, “Buda is a great community that is committed to enhancing quality of life for its citizens.”
