Following five years of service to the City of Garland, including three years as City Manager, Judson Rex and the City Council have mutually agreed to not renew the City Manager employment agreement set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025.
This decision was reached collaboratively and reflects a shared belief that new leadership at this time will best serve the long-term interests of the Garland community.
Both Rex and the Council expressed appreciation for the cooperative and professional partnership they have maintained throughout their time together.
“On behalf of the City of Garland, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Jud Rex for his dedicated service to our community,” said Mayor Dylan Hedrick. “During his tenure, he helped advance several key initiatives, including continuing the implementation of the 2019 Bond Program and the passage of the 2025 Bond Program. We appreciate his contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Rex touted a collaboration that has “driven economic growth, revitalized Downtown, enhanced our parks and public facilities, and positioned Garland for a bright and thriving future.”
“I’ve been honored to work alongside the City Council to serve Garland’s 250,000 residents over the past five years,” Rex said. “I’m proud of the work Team Garland does every day to build the stage for our residents to live their best lives.”
At the Nov. 18 Regular Meeting, City Council voted to appoint Michael J. “Mike” Betz as Interim City Manager, with the transition taking effect immediately. The Council will now begin discussions on the process for selecting Garland’s next permanent City Manager.
Betz brings more than 20 years of experience serving the City of Garland in diverse leadership roles. Born on Long Island, New York, Betz earned his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he also pursued graduate studies in public management. He later received his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law and clerked for the Honorable John MacKenzie of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Betz relocated to Texas in 1992, practicing law in Dallas before joining Garland’s Office of the City Attorney in 2005. His longstanding service to the City includes roles as Deputy City Attorney, Police Legal Advisor, City Marshal, Interim Managing Director of Risk Management and, most recently, Chief Information Officer.
According to Betz, his leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, transparency and leading by example. He is committed to strengthening city services, enhancing quality of life for residents, and advancing innovation and technology to support effective, responsive local government.
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