Marble Falls city manager retires; longtime leader steps in
MAIN PHOTO: Mike Hodge (right) accepts an award from the city and Marble Falls Mayor John Packer (left) for his 10 years of service following his retirement as city manager. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey INSET: Caleb Kraenzel was appointed Marble Falls city manager on Sept. 2. City of Marble Falls photo
Marble Falls said goodbye to City Manager Mike Hodge on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and welcomed longtime civil servant Caleb Kraenzel into the role.
Hodge spent a decade at Marble Falls’ helm, steering the city through a recent growth spurt and facilitating long-term infrastructure projects, like the new wastewater treatment plant.
“We are deeply grateful to Mike Hodge for his years of dedicated service to Marble Falls,” said Mayor John Packer in a city media release. “During his tenure, our city achieved meaningful progress in key areas, and he leaves behind a lasting legacy of dedication to the community that will benefit Marble Falls for years to come.”
Hodge accepted the recognition of his service along with an official proclamation making Sept. 2, 2025, “Mike Hodge Day” in the city.
“I have really enjoyed the opportunity to work with the people in this community and the people that really make Marble Falls what it is,” he said to a crowded room at City Hall on Tuesday night. “I’m successful because of the support I got from the council members. As always, I had an excellent staff, and I cannot sing their praises loud enough. I would put them up against any staff in the state or the nation because what sets them apart is that they’re passionate about what they do.”
One of those staff members is the newly appointed Kraenzel, who is in his 20th year with the city. He started out as a geographic information system planner with Marble Falls, worked his way up to the director of Development Services, then made the leap to assistant city manager.
Kraenzel has spent the past two years working side by side with Hodge as the deputy city manager, preparing him for his new role.
“I’m incredibly honored to continue serving the Marble Falls community in this new capacity,” Kraenzel said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside an outstanding team here, and I look forward to building on that foundation as we focus on excellence and purposeful service.”
Kraenzel told DailyTrib.com he plans to develop stronger communication between the city and residents and look for ways to balance the small-town feel of Marble Falls with its rapid growth.
“The council has a vision for maintaining our small-town charm, our small-town character, and staff plays a very pivotal role in that with how we deal with people and interface with people, so that would be a focus area that I really want to champion,” he said. “Customer service to residents and visitors at all layers of the organization top to bottom.”
Great planning by the city in having a successor in training alongside Mike Hodge. We’re in very good hands with Kraenzel. Congratulations to both of them.