City Finance Director Michelle Mitchell, a former Goldman Sachs veteran who has helped guide Houston through consecutive years of severe budget problems, is leaving her post.
Mitchell said she offered her resignation Wednesday after coming to a “mutual agreement” with Mayor Annise Parker so she could “go back to the private sector.”
“Everyone in Houston knows the city is facing challenging times,” said Mitchell, who was hired in 2006 by former Mayor Bill White. “I’ve always been very optimistic that we can reach the goals that we’ve set. … The mayor is on the right path to reaching those goals.”
She does not have another job lined up, and sources close to the matter say Mitchell was forced out, although she denied it. She will stay on until Dec. 31.
A spokeswoman for Parker would not answer a question about whether Mitchell had been forced out. In a statement, Parker thanked Mitchell and said she has started a search for her replacement.
I don’t know enough about the situation to make any kind of informed speculation about it, but if you know more, then by all means leave a comment. Spinning conspiracy theories is easy and fun, but the truth is often depressingly boring and mundane.
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