Recent Organizational Changes Rescinded Per COA

The recently announced changes in the City of Amarillo organizational chart have been placed on hold.

The city sent out two press releases Wednesday afternoon, the first headlined “Council to Consider COA Management Changes,” followed minutes later by a revised version. It read, “Interim City Manager Rescinds Staff Changes.”

This follows Tuesday’s Executive Session for which only one agenda item was listed; Interim City Manager Andrew Freeman. The purpose appeared to involve a job-related performance or evaluation.

According to the revised press release, Freeman announced Wednesday the recent management changes implemented have been “rescinded because the City Council was not given the opportunity to advise and consider consent on the changes per the Amarillo City Charter.”

The organizational changes – which included, among others, Amarillo Police Chief Martin Birkenfeld overseeing all emergency services – apparently executed by Freeman, are expected to be discussed at Tuesday’s 3 p.m. city council meeting.