After two decades of service to the City of Allen, City Manager Peter H. Vargas will take on a new title of Interim City Manager in February 2019.
Allen City Council approved the plan at the November 13 meeting. This role—which has no formal end date—will provide consistency to the organization during the search for a new city manager, while allowing Vargas more flexibility in planning for the future.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with our exceptional staff, elected officials and citizens of Allen during this period of remarkable growth,” said Vargas. “While I look forward to life’s next chapter, I am committed to continue leading our City staff with the same dedication to excellence and superior service.”
Vargas will mark 20 years as Allen City Manager in January 2019. During his tenure, Allen grew from a population of 42,000 to 102,000 and welcomed major developments including Allen Premium Outlets, Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms and The Village at Allen. Vargas also oversaw major growth and development of City services and facilities including Allen Event Center, three recreation centers, multiple parks, the Municipal Service Center and miles of roads and infrastructure.
“When we appointed Peter many years ago, it was—for lack of a better word—guesswork. But out of all the hundreds of people we had apply for city manager, I will tell you that the choice of Peter has been one outstanding choice for the City of Allen,” said Mayor Stephen Terrell. “He has worked with all the staff members and every council that’s sat up here. He’s very understanding. He works his way, methodically, through everything. I will tell you that–by far–he is one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Vargas earned the Texas City Manager Association (TCMA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 and was recently celebrated by the International City Managers Association (ICMA) for reaching 40 years of municipal service in Texas and Colorado.