It took the Beeville City Council less than 15 minutes in executive session Tuesday evening to seal a deal that ended City Manager Ford Patton’s career with the city of Beeville.

The vote was unanimous.

Patton, who has worked for the city for 31 years, the last 16 as city manager, will receive a severance package totalling $134,201.67 as a result of a contract between him and the previous City Council, said Mayor Santiago “Jimbo” Martinez after the meeting.

Councilmen then took a little more than half an hour in another closed session to return and take no action in the appointment of an interim for the position.

City Finance Director and Assistant City Manager Robert Aguilar will take over for Patton immediately and run City Hall until the council can hire a new manager to replace Patton.

Patton’s two major supporters on the council, David Carabajal and John Fulghum, made the motion and second to “separate” the relationship between Patton and the city, effective immediately.

The entire council then voted in favor of the motion.

‘“I wish Beeville nothing but the best,” Patton said. “I have no stones to throw.”

Patton thanked the council and the people of Beeville. But he saved his most ardent appreciation for “the people I’ve had a chance to work with.”

Patton praised city employees and their dedication. “It’s truly a team effort,” he said. “I’ll be around. I’m not going anywhere soon.”

Martinez then asked council members to comment on the separation.

Councilwoman Libby Spires and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Scotten both thanked Patton for his long service to the city and wished him luck in the future.

Carabajal repeated much of what the other council members said.

However, Fulghum, the longest-serving council member, had more to say.

“In my tenure here as councilman I made one mistake and that was the night Ford Patton was hired, I didn’t vote for him,” Fulghum said. “But he proved me wrong.”

Fulghum called Patton “an outstanding city manager. “He and I were very loyal to one another and he’ll always be a friend of mine.”

Martinez said that the separation came “after careful and thoughtful consideration” and he called the decision “a mutual and amicable separation.”

Then Martinez said the separation “will be effective immediately.”

“Mr. Patton has held the position of city manager for over 16 years and the council appreciates his sincere efforts on behalf of this community.”

The reason for the ‘separation’ was never divulged.

“The city now finds itself in the position of needing to find a new city manager,” Martinez explained. “Like any other city, we are looking for an administrator who can pick up the ball and continue to lead us into the future by growing and developing Beeville. This will require someone who is innovative, aggressive and possesses a clear and positive vision for the city.”

Martinez elaborated further: “This person must chart a course in the development of a capital improvement plan for our streets, drainage, water and sewage, city facilities and other city assets to ensure Beeville will meet the ever-increasing demand for city services.”

And, Martinez added: “This person must also possess the skills to seek and submit grant requests to assist the City of Beeville in financing its infrastructure improvements.”

Martinez then encouraged a move toward enhancing the growth of the city through annexation and to recognize the importance of inter-local governmental agreements.

“Finally,” Martinez said, “our next city manager must work with local economic development organizations for the betterment of this community as well as take an active role in working with national and state legislators to develop and support legislation that is beneficial to Texas municipalities, especially the City of Beeville.”

“I assure you we will make every effort to find the best qualified person for the job who is willing to take on the substantial challenges this community continues to face,” Martinez concluded.