The Austin City Council has voted to extend a formal employment offer to outgoing Dallas city manager T.C. Broadnax.
Broadnax has had a rocky tenure in Dallas, facing heavy criticism for issues related to crime, homelessness, permitting delays, police oversight, and trash collection.
According to WFAA, Broadnax recently submitted a ‘secret’ resignation to the Dallas City Council. By resigning in this manner, Broadnax triggered a clause in his contract that made him eligible for a severance package of more than $400,000. Broadnax’s resignation was widely perceived as a slight against Mayor Eric Johnson.
An inability to work with Johnson, a Democrat turned nominal ‘Republican,’ was a recurring feature of Broadnax’s tenure in Dallas. Johnson tried to fire Broadnax in 2022.
Broadnax has also recently highlighted his commitment to ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’. He told a town hall forum, “It’s easy to talk about wanting to implement equity as an organization or even as a leader, but when it’s a part of your DNA and who you are as a person and a leader, I think it’s easy because I show up like that every day and I expect the people that work for me to have the same type of values and principles associated with diversity and equity and inclusion across all different pieces and elements of what that represents for who you are.”
Far-left Austin City Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes praised Brodnax’s commitment to ‘equity’ and ‘empathy.’
I joined colleagues in recommending TC Broadnax as our next city manager. Mr. Broadnax comes with the experience needed to manage a city like Austin with a commitment towards equity and empathy. (1/3)
— Vanessa Fuentes 💃🏽 (@VanessaForATX) March 27, 2024
It is uncertain how the hiring of Broadnax will impact the city’s relationship with the Texas legislature. During recent sessions, legislation has been introduced to strip the city of powers related to policing and utilities and even outright abolish the Austin City Council.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation recently endorsed outright abolition, explaining that a Texas Capital District would “signify Texas sovereignty, allow all Texans a direct hand in governing their capital city, and provide policymakers a city-level laboratory for innovative, free-market policymaking.”
If the city council gives final approval to Broadnx, which is considered a formality, he would likely start as city manager in early June.
