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Taft Today
By the People, for the People
Taft City Council Votes to Terminate City Manager Ryan Smith
The 4-1 decision follows a performance evaluation and ongoing tensions between Smith and council members.
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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The Taft City Council voted 4-1 to terminate its contract with City Manager Ryan Smith on Tuesday. Smith will remain in the role for 30 days under the conditions of his contract. Mayor Elida Castillo cited a "difficult few months" and concerns over Smith's willingness to work with the council as reasons for the decision.
Why it matters
The termination of a city manager is a significant event that can impact a local government's operations and community relations. This decision comes after a legal battle between Smith and the city council, raising questions about the dynamics between city leadership and the challenges they face.
The details
The council's vote followed its first opportunity to complete an evaluation of Smith's job performance, which had been delayed in January because Smith was not available. Mayor Castillo said the decision was made after "careful consideration of all the circumstances" the city had been through in the last 2.5 months, including a lawsuit filed by Smith accusing officials of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act.
- The Taft City Council voted to terminate Ryan Smith's contract on February 11, 2026.
- Smith will remain in the role for 30 days under the conditions of his contract.
The players
Ryan Smith
The former City Manager of Taft, Texas who was terminated by the city council in a 4-1 vote.
Elida Castillo
The Mayor of Taft, Texas who cited ongoing tensions between Smith and council members as a reason for the termination decision.
Taft City Council
The city council in Taft, Texas that voted 4-1 to terminate Ryan Smith's contract as city manager.
What they’re saying
“This time he was at the meeting, and so as a council, we went back, we discussed job performance, and then the decision was made to do a unilateral separation per the conditions of his contract.”
— Elida Castillo, Mayor of Taft (KRIS 6 News)
“It wasn't an easy decision. After careful consideration of all the circumstances that we have been through in the last 2.5 months, it was pretty obvious that this wasn't a situation that was good for the community or for us as a council.”
— Elida Castillo, Mayor of Taft (KRIS 6 News)
What’s next
The city will now begin the process of reposting the city manager position, while also assessing what steps need to be taken during Smith's remaining 30 days in the role.
The takeaway
The termination of Taft's city manager highlights the complex dynamics and challenges that can arise between local government leadership and the community they serve, particularly when there are ongoing tensions and legal disputes.
