MICHAEL KOVACS A farewell reception for City Manager Michael Kovacs and his family will be held Monday, Nov. 23.

Residents are invited to the event sponsored by the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce- Tourist Bureau. It will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at the chamber office, 403 W. Cotter Ave.

Kovacs has accepted a position as assistant city manager at Park City, Utah. He has been city manager here since December 2004.

His contract requires that he provide 30 days’ notice, which would mean his last day would be Dec. 4. However, the city council will act tonight, Thursday, Nov. 19, on his request to be released as of Nov. 25.

Kovacs said he has enjoyed working in Port Aransas. He said he “improved the city’s relationships within the region, with state and federal agencies and … worked closely with the business community and chamber of commerce to assist them in increasing tourism.”

Among other developments during Kovacs’ administration were initiation of street and drainage system improvements developed from two major bond elections netting more than 75 percent voter approval, and a major streets project paid for with cash. The projects totaled more than $10 million worth of work.

Kovacs also presided over upgrades of public safety services and emergency preparedness. The work “vastly improved capabilities and positioned the city for readiness to handle dayto day and large-scale emergencies,” he said.