Farmersville City Council members unanimously approved the resignation of City Manager Ben White and the terms of a separation agreement during the council’s regular meeting Jan. 5.

The action marked a swift leadership change early in the new year for the city.

Midway through the meeting, council members convened in executive session to deliberate “the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee, or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee: City Manager.” The city’s legal counsel joined council members during the closed session.

White, who had served as city manager for almost 15 years, was not present at the meeting.

Following the executive session, the council unanimously voted to accept White’s resignation. Council members also unanimously authorized Mayor Craig Overstreet and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Henry to research potential interim city manager candidates and to pursue the employment of a search firm to assist in finding a permanent replacement.