Denton Record Chronicle
By Brooke Colombo Staff Writer
November 16, 2023

LAKE DALLAS — By a 3-2 vote, the Lake Dallas City Council terminated its city manager Wednesday night in a move some council members and citizens say was motivated by ego.

Kandace Lesley was hired as city manager in September 2021. She is the third city manager the city has had in six years, as well as two interims.  

Council members Megan Ray and Kristy Bleau voted against Lesley’s termination, while Cheryl McClain, Rudy Glynn Vrba and Adam Peabody voted for it. 

“City Council has a right to make their decision,” Lesley told the Denton Record-Chronicle. “It’s not a decision I feel was based on fact.”

Several residents spoke in support of Lesley before the council made its decision. Many of them pleaded for the council to explain why they were considering Lesley’s termination and how another short-lived city manager stint would impact the city.

The city’s code compliance officer, Daniel Rusnak, said he feared retaliation for speaking up. He has worked for the city for more than seven years and said Lesley has been a true leader in taking on the “herculean task of turning around this organization.”

Finance Director Jennifer Oakes echoed Rusnak’s fears of retaliation for supporting Lesley and said they weren’t the only ones who were afraid.

Additionally, Lesley’s husband, chaplain David Lesley, spoke of her dedication, integrity and moral character. Kevin Lively, who operates Mrs. Lively’s Cajun Konnection, said she is the only city staffer who has been approachable and encouraging to business owners like himself.

Multiple citizen comments — including those who took to the microphone and others who chimed in from the crowd — mentioned that the city government fosters a toxic work environment.

Susan Ray, a 30-year resident of Lake Dallas, said she and city staff have been subject to yelling, name-calling and false accusations by City Council members.

“The fact that you as representatives of your neighbors seem to be up here with personal agendas is rather insulting,” Ray said. “... I feel you’re being intentionally obtuse and careless, not only in the area of fiscal responsibility but in representing your fellow citizens in a manner they deserve.”

Additionally, those who spoke up at the meeting felt Lesley has been instrumental in spearheading several city works projects.

Lesley provided the Record-Chronicle a copy of a Nov. 8 memorandum in which she discusses her performance over the last year.

Among other topics, she mentions her work with a master drainage study and plan, securing multifamily and retail development, bringing a roadway improvement bond to fruition, and increasing training for budgeting and purchasing employees.

She also notes in the memo that “combativeness” by “certain city council members” has caused employees to fear retaliation and seek other employment.

Council member Peabody, who voted for Lesley’s termination, said at the meeting that he felt staff’s fear of retaliation was unfounded and voiced frustrations with his position.

“I ran because I care about this town,” Peabody said. “We moved here so I could get involved in politics and make a difference. It has been a miserable thing. You want to come up here and try this? I encourage it. I think everyone in town should do this.”

Council members Ray and Bleau voted against Lesley’s termination, citing that none of the council members had presented a criminal, moral or otherwise fireable offense that Lesley had committed.

Ray called the motion “the height of hubris” and malicious.

Bleau suggested that the council just allow Lesley’s city manager contract to expire. But either way, the city would still have to pay out a severance package.

“I still don’t think it needs to be done regardless,” Bleau said. “I think the morale of the city will drop tremendously. We’ve already gone through so much as a city.”

Council member Vrba said that he knows the termination will hurt the city financially but that Wednesday night’s discussion only strengthened his opinion.

“I think there’s a great division, a lack of communication,” Vrba said. “It’s not just going to go away. I think continuing to keep Lesley here will hurt the city of Lake Dallas in the long term, and potentially financially much more than the severance.”

After about 45 minutes of discussion behind closed doors and in public, the council sealed Lesley’s fate.

“Worst s--t I’ve ever seen in my life,” one resident said as he left the room. “If y’all agree with me, say ‘aye.’”

He was met with some ayes from other residents as they exited the meeting.

Correction

An earlier version of this story misstated the date of the Lake Dallas City Council's decision.