Amarillo City Council unanimously voted to appoint Andrew Freeman as Interim City Manager during their regular meeting earlier this week. Along with the appointment, Freeman’s salary was increased to $245,000.

Freeman has been serving as acting City Manager in his capacity as Deputy City Manager after the council approved a separation agreement with former City Manager Jared Miller last month.

The council also discussed plans to evaluate Freeman’s performance in 8 months as the council reaches the midpoint of their terms. “We’ll have some real hard lines on public safety, improving the quality of life in Amarillo, customer service, follow-ups, attention to detail,” said Mayor Cole Stanley. If Freeman passes the evaluation, the council plans to give Freeman a $50,000 incentive package.

Before serving as Deputy City Manager, Freeman oversaw the City of Amarillo’s taxpayer funded lobbying program. Before working with the City of Amarillo, Freeman worked for the City of San Marcos, the City of Tulia, and the City of Plainview. According to a press release from the city, “Freeman received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA)” in 2022.