Dallas may be nearing the conclusion of its hunt for a new city manager today. It is anticipated that city officials will choose one of the finalists this morning.
DallasOn Wednesday, Dallas city officials are anticipated to select a new city manager.
Dallas City Manager Search
The backstory
After former City Manager T.C. Broadnax resigned to accept a position in Austin, the hunt for a new city manager has been going on for about a year.
Members of the municipal council have expressed dissatisfaction with the process, citing issues with transparency and the quantity of highly qualified applicants.
However, only three contenders remained: assistant Sacramento City Manager Mario Lara, assistant Fort Worth City Manager William Johnson, and interim Dallas City Manager Kim Tolbert.
The new city manager ought to be one of those finalists.
Members of the Dallas City Council interrogated the candidates on Wednesday: interim Dallas City Manager Kim Tolbert, assistant Fort Worth City Manager William Johnson, and assistant Sacramento City Manager Mario Lara.
Next steps:
On Wednesday morning, council members are anticipated to have a private meeting to discuss hiring.
They will return to the public meeting and perhaps hold a vote following that discussion.
A new police chief and a new fire chief will be appointed by the person who is appointed to the role.
Additionally, they will have to deal with a number of newly approved ballot proposals. Regarding public safety, one of them reduces the city’s financial flexibility.
3 Dallas city manager finalists share their strengths, accomplishments
We’re getting to know the three candidates for the position of city manager in Dallas. In one week, council members will cast their votes for their preferred candidate.
Who are the finalists?
Kim Tolbert
Tolbert, Kim
Because of her expertise with the position, Tolbert is seen by many as the front-runner. Since last May, she has been performing it in a stand-in role.
She has also worked for the city in administrative and financial capacities, as well as as the deputy city manager of Dallas and the city manager’s chief of staff.
William Johnson
Johnson, William
Since 2019, Johnson has served as Fort Worth’s associate city manager.
In addition, he served as the Director of the Baltimore Department of Transportation and the Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Public Works Commissioner for the City of Atlanta.
Johnson was a member of senior leadership with a focus on emergency services in the private sector as well.
Mario Lara
Lara Mario
In Sacramento, Lara is the assistant city manager in charge of the police, fire, emergency response, and community response divisions. Since 2022, he has been employed in the position.
He spent almost three years as the Director of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment before that.
Lara also held positions in San Bernardino County, the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, and the Riverside City Manager’s Office.
The Source: Previous news reports and the Dallas City Council’s agenda are the sources of the information in this story.
