Austin Bleess is proud to be the City Manager of Jersey Village. He was appointed as City Manager in March 2017. Like the CEO of a corporation, a City Manager implements the best practices in running the business of government. In his role he oversees all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the City, provides leadership and management to the approximately 150 employees, and administers a total operating budget of approximately $23 million.
Mr. Bleess understands effective budgeting, managing staff, and all aspects of running a city. As a professional city manager, he is committed to the highest standards of equity, transparency, honor, integrity, political neutrality, responsible stewardship of public resources, and to fostering an ethical culture throughout the government.
Mr. Bleess is a leader who partners with the elected Mayor and City Councilors to turn their policies into tangible results and is behind the decisions that shape how communities like ours look and feel.
In addition Mr. Bleess voluntarily adheres to a Code of Ethics as a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). That code governs conduct and sets the standard for excellence in local government.
Mr. Bleess was appointed as City Manager in March 2017. Before coming to Jersey Village, he served as City Manager in Caribou, Maine and City Administrator in Winnebago, MN. He brings proven abilities in comprehensive planning, budgeting, personnel management, project management, economic development, and grant writing.
During his time in Jersey Village, Mr. Bleess has helped create a culture that has promoted the growth of the city’s economic base by recruiting new businesses and growing the local job base. He has led several flood mitigation projects since 2017, including the Long Term Flood Recovery Plan, construction of a berm around the Jersey Meadow Golf Course, local neighborhood drainage improvements, and home elevations. As of March 2024 he has secured for the city through grants and local partnerships over $29,000,000 to assist in these projects.
Mr. Bleess holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a Credentialed Manager through ICMA since January 2017. He was also certified as a Business Retention and Expansion Coordinator by Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI).
Mr. Bleess is an active member of ICMA and the Texas City Manager Association (TCMA). He has served on several committees for both organizations and is the past Chair of the TCMA City Managers of Tomorrow Committee. He is currently the TCMA Region 6 President and will serve on the TCMA Board of Directors for a two year term starting June 2024. He is a current board member, and past chairman of the board, for the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Rotary Club of Cypress-Fairbanks and the Rotary Club of Caribou, Maine. He and his family are active in their local church and several other community groups.
Austin Bleess
City Manager
16501 Jersey Drive
Jersey Village, Texas 77040-1999
Office: 713-466-2109
Fax: 713-466-2134
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