To complete the appointment of a new city manager, the Fort Worth City Council will convene in extraordinary session on Tuesday. Some, however, are against the appointment, claiming that the procedure was hurried.
Texas’s Fort WorthThe employment of Jay Chapa as the new city manager was approved by the Fort Worth City Council after multiple attempts to postpone the vote.
His hire was approved by the city council 9-1. One member of the council did not vote.
During the meeting on Tuesday afternoon, community members voiced their support and opposition to his hiring.
A group of Fort Worth religious leaders and two city council members argue that the vote ought to be postponed since Chapa was the only candidate and the selection process proceeded too swiftly without seeking community opinion.
The city attorney’s office has also received a conflict of interest request from Councilman Chris Nettles.
Before the vote, Nettles asked for a legal opinion on whether Chapa’s employment would provide a conflict of interest.
Nettles claims that his worries stem from Chapas’ recent employment in the private sector as a hired lobbyist and adviser for firms looking to get into agreements with the city of Fort Worth about economic development and contracts.
“Let’s have a fair and transparent due process. “Let’s act morally,” Bishop Mark Kirkland, a community activist, remarked. “Let’s not make a hurried choice, but perhaps Mr. Chapa is the best candidate for the position. Something must be a duck, and a lame one at that, if it wobbles, quacks, and walks like one. Don’t make this hasty, pathetic choice.”
“I’ve heard that there are now problems with the procedure and transparency. Rosa Navejar, a resident, stated that if these were problems, they ought to have been raised early on or throughout the procedure. “I think everyone took part in the interview with all of the applicants. This is how I see it: you don’t operate a business after the fact. You are proactive rather than reactive. However, we are left wondering why we have reached these problems now.
The council’s resolution to hire Chapa was passed with ease.
The only person to vote against the resolution was Nettles. Jared Williams, a councilman, did not cast a ballot.
Chapa will start on January 27. He will be the first Hispanic city manager in the city.
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The Fort Worth City Council meeting on Tuesday provided the information for this report.
The Fort Worth City Council meeting on Tuesday provided the information for this report.
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