Tuesday, March 26, Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Denton City Manager Sarah Hensley answered questions from media in Austin regarding their respective plans and visions if selected for that role in the Capital City. Later that evening, Mayor Kirk Watson selected Broadnax as Austin’s new City Manager.
This is not the end of the process, however. City Council will still have to vote on the appointment That vote will take place April 2. T.C. Broadnax stated that he can manage a big city due to briefly managing the city of Dallas. Broadnax abruptly resigned from his Dallas position in February, siting that he and Mayor Eric Johnson could not see eye to eye.
What is a City Manager? For Austin, the City Council is in charge of all legislative matters, and the council appoints a manager to almost act as a CEO in private-sector businesses and to carry out the council’s legislative and policy objectives. The City Manager also manages a staff of over 16,000 employees, including four Assistant City Managers.
“I am mindful of the critical needs we must urgently address, and I am committed to doing so with a collaborative, transparent, inclusive and equitable approach.”
Among the City Manager hopeful’s goals for his first 100 days in the position are vows to hire a permanent Chief of Police, negotiate a new contract with the Austin Police Department, and make processes and procedures more transparent to the community. “I am mindful of the critical needs we must urgently address, and I am committed to doing so with a collaborative, transparent, inclusive and equitable approach.”
Related: Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson Seeks Changes to the Department
Broadnax’s experience in managing Dallas definitely provides him with valuable insights and skills that can be beneficial in leading a city as vibrant and diverse as Austin. With his track record, Broadnax appears to have the capability to handle the responsibilities that come with overseeing a large metropolitan area.
If voted in, T.C. Broadnax’s leadership could bring a fresh perspective to Austin, helping the city navigate challenges and embrace new opportunities. As the City Council prepares to vote on his appointment on April 2, the residents of Austin wait, hopeful for a promising future under Broadnax’s potential leadership.
For more information on the role of City Manager and the process of appointing them, visit the City of Austin’s official website.
