Investigation report provides insight into former Wichita Falls City Manager’s resignation

An official investigation report from the City of Wichita Falls reveals details of an incident between former City Manager Jeff Jenkins and a woman who is referred to as “Jane Doe”, providing insight into Jenkins’ resignation. Jane Doe appeared to be an employee of a redacted organization that directly worked with the City of Wichita Falls. The report was completed on August 14, four days before the City of Wichita Falls announced Jenkins’ departure. Jenkins separated from the city with a $185,000 severance package.

Multiple interviews were conducted between the listed investigator, Christi Klyn who is the Director of Human Resources, and the two parties. The investigation summary stated that what started as work-related chat later became “excessive and obsessive”, according to Jane Doe. The report noted a “significant concern” of Jane Doe’s feeling of being pressured to maintain communication with Jenkins due to his position. Jane Doe reportedly stated that she was concerned about her employment and funding to the redacted organization.

The initial interview between Klyn and Jane Doe took place on August 11. The report stated that things started to escalate after the city’s Ranch Roundup event that took place in the middle of July, earlier this year. According to Jane Doe, she had told Jenkins that he had been “acting crazy” and that he should stop reaching out so much. There was an instance noted during a July 23 meeting, where Jenkins reportedly asked Jane Doe several times if it was okay if he continued contacting her. According to Jane Doe, she said “no” to him multiple times before she finally gave in. The report went on to state that things got to the point where other employees would comment on the relationship between the two. Additionally, it’s stated that Jane Doe’s supervisor advised her not to be alone with Jenkins and to have someone else present when meeting with him. Klyn noted that during the interview, Jane Doe “expressed significant discomfort and embarrassment about the situation and that she did not want Jeff to be fired or otherwise suffer disciplinary consequences for his interactions with her. She stated that she had hoped the situation would simply go away and was reluctant to discuss it.”

During the interview with Jenkins on August 12, the report stated he said the two agreed to a “clean slate” after the Ranch Roundup, and would later clarify with her, during that July 23 meeting, what that meant and if “he could continue communicating with her through Facebook Messenger”. According to Jenkins, he believed her response to be “yes”. He also reportedly stated that Jane Doe never “specifically asked him to stop messaging her”. Klyn asked Jenkins whether he considered that his position could have caused Jane Doe to feel pressured to continue communication. According to Jenkins, he could understand how his position would make her feel that way, however, he said that it was not his intent and restated that she never directly asked him to stop messaging her.

Klyn held a follow up interview with Jane Doe the following day. The report stated that someone, whose name was redacted, reached out to Klyn after Jane Doe had approached them in concern that Jenkins was being fired and shared concerns that he would “come after her”. They also stated that Jane Doe had additional information that they thought was important to share. During the interview, they talked about a previously mentioned meeting that was supposedly scheduled between Jane Doe, Jenkins, and a third person. Jane Doe did not show up to that meeting and did not respond to messages regarding the meeting.

According to Jane Doe, there was never originally a meeting scheduled between the three, but that Jenkins had reached out to her out of the blue. After not attending the meeting, Jenkins went to her place of work, but she had left after seeing him through the window. Jane Doe said he later returned and was “very erratic”. She went on to say that Jenkins tried to call everyone into her office for the discussion, and that she asked him to go away, to which she says he responded with, “are you seriously mad at me?”

Jenkins told Klyn that he wasn’t mad, but frustrated he couldn’t get in contact with her for the meeting. Jane described a time in the report where Jenkins took her wallet and asked why she gave him the wrong address after seeing her information. Jane said that she had given him her old address after he asked her where she lived and she believes he memorized it. Jenkins' response was that it was a friendly conversation and they were exchanging drivers license pictures. Klyn noted that Jane was very emotional during their follow up interview with the additional details. 

Jane did say that the comments and messages weren’t of sexual nature, but that he did express feelings for her. Jenkins denied having feelings for Jane, saying, “I told her I want you as a friend only, that’s it. I love my wife, and my wife encouraged me to have her as a friend. This really is just a misunderstanding.”

Jenkins also remarked in the report that he tends to have more female friends than male friends.

One last moment Jane Doe recalled was receiving a message from Jenkins near midnight during a trip to Vegas, for seemingly work related reasons. At the same time, Jenkins had a planned trip with his wife, and that the trips would overlap by one day. Jane said the message was Jenkins asking if he could come over to say hello at 11:14 p.m. Jenkins' reasoning was that their hotels were right next to each other and he was worried that she didn’t respond because she was scared of flying in a plane.

Ultimately, the interactions between the two became so uncomfortable, according to Jane, that for half a year, co-workers would have to warn her if he was nearby, so she could hide in the restrooms to avoid interacting with him.

The conclusion of the report talked about how the main concern wasn’t whether the relationship was meant to be romantic or not, but was if the former City Manager’s position created an environment that made Jane feel uncomfortable and forced to engage. The result was that the relationship indicated it became extremely personal and that Jane was uncomfortable, but the two “disagree about how clearly those boundaries were communicated and understood.”

Jenkins had written a statement to accompany the official investigation. In the statement, it’s written similarly to his separation agreement, which states it is not an admission of guilt or any wrong-doing. Jenkins disagreed with a lot of the characterizations that were made by Jane, but also acknowledged the power dynamic. Jenkins said he had no direct control over her employment. In the statement, Jenkins went on to say that the investigation was very limited given the fact it was completed only over a few days and that he was not able to review and respond to the report.  

Many community members are expressing frustration regarding this development as it didn’t seem to fully align with the city’s initial reasoning or the mayor and council’s tone of response over Jenkins’ departure. The original announcement of Jenkins' resignation was that he would be “pursuing other professional opportunities”. However, this situation has caused community members to express a deeper sense of distrust following the investigation being publicized. Reasons varied from the fact that there was not a reason given as to why Jenkins was leaving to the city agreeing to the near $200,000 separation package. 

Additionally, some are questioning whether Jenkins willfully resigned or if he was told to by the city. According to the wording of the city’s official announcement, it stated that Jenkins was resigning. However, under section XIII of Jenkins’ professional services agreement, he is only entitled to separation payment if the city chooses to terminate the contract. Meanwhile, it doesn’t specify any guaranteed payment for willfully resigning. Usually, a person does not receive separation pay for choosing to leave their position. However, under the same section, the city can suggest Jenkins leave, and if he takes their suggestion, it essentially acts as a termination of the agreement providing him that pay. 

Despite no admission of wrong-doing, many wish the city was more forthcoming of the reasoning behind Jenkins’ resignation.

You can read the full investigation report below: