Res 40-2026 Texas First LLC for the services of Mitch Bates as Interim Police Chief 04/07/2026 Resolution No. 40-2026
Resolution Approving a Contract with Texas First LLC for the services
of Mitch Bates as Interim Police Chief for the City of Wichita Falls at a
rate of $117.40 per hour
WHEREAS, the City of Wichita Falls has a need to ensure continuous, effective
leadership of the Wichita Falls Police Department during a period of transition; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Wichita Falls engaged the services of Texas First LLC to
identify and procure qualified candidates for the position of Interim Police Chief; and,
WHEREAS, through this engagement, Texas First LLC presented Mitch Bates as
a candidate possessing the qualifications, experience, and leadership capacity necessary
to serve as Interim Police Chief of the Wichita Falls Police Department; and,
WHEREAS, Mitch Bates possesses extensive law enforcement and municipal
executive leadership experience, having served as Police Chief of the City of Garland,
Texas from 2003 to 2019 and as Deputy City Manager from 2019 until his retirement in
2026, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, a former Chairman of the North
Texas Major Cities Police Chiefs, and the recipient of numerous community leadership
awards including the NAACP Bridge Builder of the Year; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager has identified Mitch Bates as a qualified candidate
to serve as Interim Police Chief and has negotiated the terms of a contract for such
services; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed contract provides for an initial term of 4 to 8 months,
with compensation of $117.40 per hour for a period of time that will exceed the
$100,000.00 threshold for Council approval, and will include provisions for a housing
stipend of approximately $12,000.00; and,
WHEREAS, the appointment of an Interim Police Chief will provide stability,
continuity, and effective leadership of the Police Department while the City searches for
a permanent Police Chief; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds it to be in the best interest of the City and its
residents to approve the contract and authorize the City Manager to execute the same on
behalf of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
The City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a contract with Texas First LLC
for Interim Police Chief services with Mitch Bates, in a form approved by the City Attorney,
and to take all actions necessary to effectuate the terms of said contract.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of April, 2026.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
Deputy City Clerk