City Manager

Responsibilities

The City Manager is responsible for:

• Providing administrative leadership and attending to the day to day operations of the City of Cleveland
• Preparing the budget annually and submitting it to the City Council and is responsible for its administration after adoption
• Performing duties as is prescribed by the City of Cleveland Home Rule Charter (PDF) or may be required by the City Council

Day-to-day operations of the city are carried out by more than 90 employees under the direction of the city manager. As a general purpose, full-service government, the city provides a host of services to residents and local businesses:

• Emergency Services - Police and Fire and Emergency Management
• Utilities - Water, wastewater, and solid waste
• Public Works - Streets, drainage, and building maintenance
• Municipal Court
• Parks and Cemeteries - City parks and city cemetery
• Planning and Zoning
• Economic Development
• General Government Services - Animal Control Services, Austin Memorial Library, and Cleveland Civic Center

Lee Tipton's Biography

Lee Tipton serves as the City Manager for the City of Cleveland, Texas, bringing with him more than two decades of public service and leadership experience in municipal government and law enforcement.

Mr. Tipton began his law enforcement career with the City of Onalaska before joining the City of Conroe Police Department in October 2004. During his tenure in Conroe, he advanced through the ranks to serve as Deputy Chief of Police and later as Interim Chief of Police for eight months. His extensive experience in public safety, administration, and community relations provides a strong foundation for his leadership in city management.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Mr. Tipton is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas and is currently enrolled in the Certified Public Manager program at Stephen F. Austin State University.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Tipton remains active in the community. He is a lifetime member of the Montgomery County Fair Association and has held several board positions throughout his career. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership East Texas.

Outside of his professional and civic commitments, Mr. Tipton enjoys scuba diving and traveling. His dedication to public service, continuous learning, and community engagement exemplifies his commitment to leading the City of Cleveland with integrity, vision, and excellence.