The current Dallas city manager may be planning to take the same job in Austin. TC Broadnax announced his resignation from Dallas last month, and he has now been named the finalist for Austin's chief executive.
In a council/manager system, the mayor is elected, but a city manager is hired by the council to handle budgets, and personnel and to carry out council initiatives.
TC Broadnax was hired in Dallas in 2017 after serving in the same position in Tacoma, Washington. Last year, Mayor Eric Johnson tried to have Broadnax removed.
After that episode, the two issued a joint statement saying they had found five areas they would work together to improve: permitting, public safety, the 911 call center, communication, and "high priority issues" such as economic development.
In February, Broadnax announced his resignation.
“I am proud of what I have accomplished and am grateful for the support I received during my tenure. My sincere gratitude to the people of this great city for allowing me to serve and to make significant contributions to this community," he said then.
Now, the mayor of Austin says a council subcommittee there has recommended hiring Broadnax. Austin fired its city manager in February 2023 after his response to a freeze the previous winter and "poor communication" during the winter storm in 2021.
Austin had two finalists: Broadnax and Sara Hensley, who has served as Denton city manager since 2022.
"I give great thanks to both of our excellent candidates. I know this has been a daunting process, but they've demonstrated their professionalism. Austin would do well with either person," Austin Mayor Kirk Watson wrote in an email to council members.
In the email, Watson said a subcommittee recommended the city council authorize an agreement with Broadnax at its meeting on April 4.
Broadnax plans to stay with the City of Dallas through June 3.
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