City Manager

City Form of Government

The City of Willis operates under a council-manager form of government, whereby citizens elect the mayor and councilmembers to make important decisions on policy-related issues. The City Council appoints a city manager who has oversight and management responsibility for the daily workings and activities of the entire city staff in carrying out the directives/policies of the City Council.

Meet City Manager - Sheyi I. Ipaye, CPM, Fellow-HKSG

Sheyi Ipaye is a Certified Public Manager (CPM), ICMA Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM), and a Senior Executive Fellow at HARVARD Kennedy School of Government. He was recruited by the Willis City Council to transform the city and improve the community’s public infrastructure for future growth. He is thrilled to work for the City of Willis, which resides in Montgomery County, the 7^th fastest growing county in the nation. Source (US Census)

As a veteran city manager, Ipaye will reorganize municipal operations, streamline business systems, improve customer service, and elevate the professionalism of his staff through the city’s core values of “Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, and Professionalism through Excellence.”

Ipaye brings over 28 years of experience as a City Manager in Texas. Previously, Ipaye served as City Manager in Palestine, Glen Heights, and Forest Hill, Texas. Under his leadership, these cities experienced rapid growth, great financial stability, and an excellent quality of life.

 In Forest Hill, he lowered the city’s property tax rate for 12 consecutive years. He reduced waste and increased financial reserves by more than 300%. He supervised the construction of   Forest Hill new City Hall, Forest Hill Civic and Convention Center, and the Forest Hill Memorial Park without bond funds or loan packages for the projects. Under his fiscal leadership, the City of Forest Hill’s Insurance Services Office ISO rating improved from a 5 to 3, helping to reduce insurance costs for homeowners and Forest Hill’s General Obligation Bond Rating was upgraded by Standard and Poor’s Rating Service from an “A” to “A+,” a first for the city. The city has consistently for 12 years received the “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). 

In Glenn Heights, he completed a “state of Art” Community Park and improve streets and completed water storage facilities for future developments. He earned the reputation as a results-focused “go-to” manager.

In Palestine, he supervised numerous economic development projects, including the development of more than two million square feet facility for a Walmart Distribution Center, the construction of a new state-of-the-art water treatment and sewer facility, establishment of the Steven Bennett Park through a 50/50 grant from the Texas Department of Wildlife. He completed improvements to the city’s museum, theatre, Convention Center, and downtown development. Additionally, Ipaye successfully developed and maintained a constructive labor-management relationship with the Civil Service Commission. 

Throughout his career, he has consistently given back to the community. He is a member of the Rotary Club, Lions Club, served on the Texas City Managers Association’s Nominating Committee, Texas Municipal League Small Cities Advisory Council and volunteered with the International City & County Manager Association (ICMA), Committee on International Affairs. 

Ipaye is a strong family man who likes to lead by example. He has been married to his lovely wife Emma for over four decades. They are blessed with raising five college graduates.

Responsibilities

The city manager serves as the council's chief advisor, he directs and oversees the day-to-day operations of the city. The city manager also prepares the city's annual budget with the assistance of department heads. Both the council and citizens count on the city manager to provide them with complete and objective information, pros and cons, alternatives, and long-term consequences pertaining to various issues under consideration.

Responsibilities of the city manager include:

• Preparing the annual budget and approving the expenditures
• Participating in the City Council discussions
• Enforcing city laws and ordinances
• Organizing staff and directing personnel actions
• Ensuring federal and state laws are complied with regarding health and safety
• Developing a strategic plan to enhance the quality of life for city residents
• Implementing policies, directives, and recommendations to the City Council
• Representing the city with respect to legislative actions, environmental issues, emergency management, and interactions with other governmental entities

Four of the 10 fastest-growing U.S. counties are in Texas

Kaufman County's population grew 6% from July 2023 to July 2024, the second largest increase in the nation.

Source: U.S. Census Credit: Chris Essig