By Jeff Rottman
It looks like 2026 and 2027 may bring several big changes to the City of San Angleo’s leadership structure.
By this time next year, San Angelo’s city management may have two new faces and another change in early 2027.
Longtime City Manager Daniel Valenzuela announced earlier this fall that he would step down next October, and Assistant City Manager Michael Dane is retiring within weeks.
Dane’s last official day is Jan. 2, and Assistant City Manager Rick Wiess says he will retire in the spring of 2027.
Michael Dane
Michael Dane has served as assistant city manager since 2012, after serving as interim city manager for nine months.
Originally hired in 1998 as finance director
Before taking the job in San Angelo, Dane worked for the City of Lubbock as an accountant, senior accountant and senior auditor.
He is a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University.
Rick Weise
After graduating from Texas A&M University, Rick Weise came to the City of San Angelo in June of 1994 as the newest member of the Planning Department, but quickly became indispensable, being promoted initially as an assistant to the city manager in 1998, and then to assistant city manager in 2005. This year he marked 40 years with the city.
The Search Begins
The Council and staff are said to be looking for a recruiting firm to help find a replacement for Valenzuela, who has served as city manager for nearly 14 years.
Further changes in the City Government are possible in 2027, with three City Council positions up for election.
The City of San Angelo operates under a Council-Manager style of government, with the city manager serving as the chief executive officer for the municipal government, and he and his staff serving as liaisons to the City Council.
The mayor is elected city-wide, and the other council members are elected by district, making up a seven-member board for city affairs
It’s possible that existing city employees could apply for the assistant city manager roles, which would be advantageous, preserving management’s working knowledge and history.
To learn more about San Angelo City Government, you can visit the website at “sanangelo.gov.”
