City Manager Steve Norwood has informed the Round Rock City Council he will resign effective Sept. 30 after a successful three-and-a-half years of service to the community. Norwood cited personal reasons for the decision.

“I have been in public service for 28 years, and have been a City Manager since I was 27 years old,” Norwood said. “The constant pressures do take a toll on one personally and professionally, and while I love Round Rock and love working with this City Council, I’m looking forward to moving on to the next stage of my career, whether it’s in the public or private sector.”

During Norwood’s tenure, the City of Round Rock held a successful $123 million bond election, aggressively implemented a downtown redevelopment program, built the Round Rock Sports Center on time and under budget, and re-energized a transportation improvement program. Norwood cites the development of an exceptionally strong executive team as his greatest accomplishment. He has appointed two assistant city managers and nine department directors, five of whom were internal promotions.

Mayor Alan McGraw cited Norwood’s positive impact on the community and organization, and wishes him well in his future endeavors.

“Steve has always received positive evaluations from the City Council, including the most recent formal review in April,” McGraw said. “We could not have asked for more effective leadership from the City Manager, be it shepherding the bond election program, making incredible headway in redeveloping downtown and taking our Sports Capital of Texas effort to the next level. Steve has done an amazing job here, and I know he’ll be successful in whatever he does next in his career. His character, leadership ability and team building skills have made an incredible and lasting positive impact on Round Rock.”

Mayor McGraw thanked Norwood for agreeing to stay on through the end of the fiscal year, which means continuity in the City Manager’s office during the budget and tax rate approval process.

“Steve has always done things the right way, and his departure from the City of Round Rock is no exception,” McGraw said.

Norwood served as City Manager for the City of Prescott, Ariz., from 2003-2010. He served as the Assistant City Manager for the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, from 1998-2003, the City Manager for the City of Lancaster, Texas, from 1995-1998, the City Manager for the City of Wylie, Texas, from 1992-1995 and as the Assistant to City Manager/Director of Economic Development for the City of Euless, Texas, from 1986-1992.