At the March 3, 2026, Regular Meeting, City Council unanimously approved a three-year contract to name Michael J. “Mike” Betz as City Manager.
Betz brings more than 20 years of experience serving the City of Garland in diverse leadership roles, including being appointed as Interim City Manager in November 2025. Born on Long Island, New York, Betz earned his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he also pursued graduate studies in public management. He later received his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law and clerked for the Honorable John MacKenzie of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Betz relocated to Texas in 1992, practicing law in Dallas before joining Garland’s Office of the City Attorney in 2005. His longstanding service to the City includes roles as Deputy City Attorney, Police Legal Advisor, City Marshal, Interim Managing Director of Risk Management and, most recently, Chief Information Officer.
Betz’s leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, transparency and leading by example. He is committed to strengthening city services, enhancing quality of life for residents, and advancing innovation and technology to support effective, responsive local government.