By Moses Leos III

Less than a year after one planning director abruptly resigned, Kyle must now search for another planning director following the resignation of Manny De La Rosa. 

On Tuesday, Kyle spokesperson Jerry Hendrix confirmed the resignation of De La Rosa, who was hired as the city’s planning director in July. His resignation was made effective at the end of the day on Friday. 

Hendrix said he was aware of De La Rosa’s resignation. However, he said he did not see the letter, as it was sent directly to assistant city manager James Earp,who served as the interim city manager until Jan. 4, when the contract for newly hired city manager Scott Sellers began.  

“Thank you for the opportunity to have served the citizens of the City of Kyle,” De La Rosa wrote in his resignation letter that was obtained by the Hays Free Press. 

However, De La Rosa did not outline the reasons for his departure in his letter. It remains unclear at this time why he resigned his post. 

De La Rosa was hired to fill the vacancy left by previous planning director Sophia Nelson, who abruptly resigned in April 2014. During his tenure, De La Rosa presented an ordinance that extended drinking hours in Kyle until 2 a.m. He also oversaw the opening of Kyle’s first dance hall along Center Street. 

Mayor Todd Webster couldn’t comment on the issue, saying it’s a personnel matter. 

“I’m sure going forward, that we are capable of finding someone to fill that role,” Webster said.

The mayor maintained he was unsure of the reason why De La Rosa left. A source familiar with the situation said the departure was related to De La Rosa not fitting in well with the new mayor’s plan for the city, but could not elaborate further.

Hendrix said the city would soon name an interim planning director, along with beginning the search for its next planning director. 

No timetable has been set for the planning director hire.