New Houston city administrator Tona Bowen began her duties July 24.
After a few weeks in office, Bowen (the town’s first-ever female administrator) shared her views on several subjects.
Q: How do you feel about your initial time in office?
A: “It’s been wonderful – I’ve really learned a lot and I’ve gotten to meet a lot of people. It’s really fun being a visionary, to see what’s best for the community and then to be a part of that community and help it grow.”
Q: What is your approach to identifying changes needing to be made and then carrying them out?
A: “I think it’s really important that we be ready to change, but just coming in from the outside, I need to make sure the changes we make are really planned and programmed.
“I know, for instance, that there are people who have been working on the splash pad at the city pool for three or four years, and for us to jump in and change that is probably not the best thing to do.
“I really think there hasn’t been very good communication and transparency between the community and the city, and those are things I can change very quickly. But you’re never going to change a big ship quickly, and little things make a big difference.”
Q: How do you feel about city employee morale?
A: “I think one of the biggest things I’ve done is make myself more open, and I’m available to talk to any of them.
“On my second day here, I had a meeting with the employees and one of the things I talked about is I have an open door policy and if they have issues I want them to come talk to me. I want to be available for that.
“And again, I think little things are really important. The other day I was out driving around town and I noticed the electric crew was out working next to a ball field. I stopped and just said, ‘hey, how’s it going and what’s going on?” Just letting them know that I see them and they’re important to me.
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“I think as time goes by and I get to know them all better, I’ll sit down and meet with each one individually. I want to learn what each one is doing and how they’re doing it. For instance, if I’m walking through the office and there’s a line of people, I want to assist those citizens standing at the window.
“I even want to get to know what everyone in the field does – not that I’m qualified to do their jobs, but just so that they know I’m here to support them.
“But you know, we have a really good group of employees with the city, and they’re experts in their fields. It’s important they know they’re valuable, because they are one of the biggest assets to the community.”
Q: How do you feel about being involved with community organizations?
A: “I believe that a city administrator, my life is about Houston and how I can make Houston better. I’ve been to some meetings already – like Lions Club and Downtown Houston – and I want to be involved in what’s happening around town and for the community to see me.
“I don’t want people to think, ‘she’s trying to run the city without being a part of it.’ I am a part of this city, and I want it to be good.
“Things I can be active in, I will be active in. And I want people to know they can approach me at any time.”
Q: How do you feel about jobs, industry and Houston having someone in the position of economic developer?
A: “I believe we will bring a person back in that role, but it may not be as quickly as we would like.
“There are things going on within the community; I’ve been working with the IDA (Industrial Development Authority) and HDC (Houston Development Co.) on a lot of different things. I’m also getting involved in SCOCOG (South Central Ozarks Council of Governments).
New Houston city administrator Tona Bowen, right, shakes hands with Houston PTO president April Arnold during the annual Back to School Fair last Friday at Houston Elementary School.
“So I’m getting out there; that’s going to be a little tough for me because it’s not something I’m really well versed in. But getting out and finding out what the community needs and where we can get jobs is important.
“I need to know what’s available so when we do bring in an economic developer, that person and I can work closely together to do what’s best for Houston to help develop industry and other positions as well.”
Q: Why were you interested in becoming Houston’s city administrator?
A: “I have a love of public accounting and public finance – my master’s degree is in finance and accounting – and here I’m able to do a budget, which is also one of the things I love.
“But I’m a people person as well, and lot of accountants don’t have that. When I was in school, we joked about, ‘how can you see an outgoing accountant? They’re the ones who look at your shoes instead of their own.’
“That’s not been me; I’ve always kind of worried about that because I’ve always loved people. People are the real assets of any company or community, and this gives me the ability to do the accounting and budget, but also get out in a community, be visionary and help the community grow.”
Q: What’s your perception of Houston and the Ozarks?
A: “My husband and I moved here in 2009, and we just love it here. The people are wonderful.
“In my interview for this job, I talked about how on our first day here we went into Hardee’s for breakfast, and coming from Los Angeles and Phoenix, people don’t talk to you there. I came out of the restroom and I told my husband I just had three conversations.
New Houston city administrator Tona Bowen, left, stands with Blessings in a Backpack program coordinator Sandy Cremer during the annual Back to School Fair last Friday at Houston Elementary School.
“That made us already love this place. Then you drive around and see how green it is and all the beauty; I love this area, and to be able to use my talents and what I’ve been trained to do, it’s pretty close to perfect. I sometimes feel like I’m dreaming, and it’s a wonderful dream.
“And the people here – they love their community and love where they are. It’s awesome.”
Q: Are there specific issues you’re already addressing, like the golf course and hangars?
A: “Of course, we’re having a public meeting on the golf course.
“I’ve called some other cities around and asked them about what it costs to run their courses and what their revenue is. I’ve also talked to people around town and asked if we want the golf course, and what it brings to our community.
“There’s a lot of positive and negative opinions – I’m getting both. But the question is, can we support it financially?
New Houston city administrator Tona Bowen, right, greets Houston Middle School cheerleaders as they volunteer during the annual Back to School Fair last Friday at Houston Elementary School.
“But the hangars are really a great opportunity.
We’re using money from the FAA and for a very low 10-pecent investment we’re getting four hangars and we’ll be able to extend our taxiway. I know not a lot of people fly into Houston, but just the other day I got a call from a woman in Kansas City who was from Houston and was planning a trip here and was wanting to know her options.
“She’ll get to come here and not pay landing fees and visit the people in her home town.”
Q: What would you like to say to the citizens of Houston?
A: “I am really excited to be here and to work with the people and grow the community in the way they want it to be grown.
“I don’t want it to grow too big and I don’t want it to dry up and go away. There’s a healthy medium that can help keep Houston as Houston.
“We have a wonderful community. Let’s keep it going.”
“I really think there hasn’t been very good communication and transparency between the community and the city, and those are things I can change very quickly.”
HOUSTON CITY ADMINISTRATOR TONA BOWEN