Austin names three finalists for city manager's job, with final decision expected in April

AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin is taking the next step in its search for a permanent city manager, naming three finalists Tuesday to participate in the next phase of the process.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, in a post to the City Council's online message board, said T.C. Broadnax of Dallas, Sara Hensley of Denton, and Brian Platt of Kansas City, Mo. will be invited to come to Austin later this month.

The city has been working with Mosaic Public Partners to review candidates for the job; 39 people submitted applications, according to the city.

Tuesday's announcement comes after a closed-door work session for council members. The process aims to name a permanent city manager, just over a year after former city manager Spencer Cronk was fired in February 2023.

According to Watson, the finalists will be asked to participate in meetings with city staff on March 25, along with a community town hall. Watson and City Council members will then get an opportunity to interview the candidates on March 26.

One or more of the candidates will then be invited back for "additional discussion" on April 1, ahead of a potential vote on a finalist on April 2.

Broadnax has served as Dallas' city manager since 2016; prior to that, he served as city manager in Tacoma, Washington from 2012-2016. He previously announced his departure from the Dallas role, with a plan to step down on June 3.

Hensley current serves as the city manager of Denton, after being appointed in 2022. She previously served as an assistant city manager; prior to her tenure in Denton, she worked for the City of Austin as director of the Parks and Recreation department. She also spent two years as an interim assistant city manager, with oversight of Austin Public Health, the Austin Public Library, PARD, animal services, and the city's Office of Real Estate.

Platt has served as the city manager of Kansas City, Mo. since 2020; he was previously the city manager for Jersey City, New Jersey. He's also worked for the McKinsey & Company consulting firm.