City Manager Search Update

[Colleen Pate]

You may have seen a news report indicating that the Kansas City Council voted last night to give the Kansas City Mayor authority to negotiate a new contract with Brian Platt, one of the three finalists for the permanent Austin City Manager position. We have been in contact with Mr. Platt through our search firm. He has not withdrawn from consideration for the Austin job.

It should come as no surprise that there’s competition for a quality candidate once applicant names have been publicly released. That is the challenge as we work to balance the reality of recruiting and hiring top talent with our commitment to transparency as well as following state law. Some candidates may not apply at all or, as in this case, the City from which the person comes works to keep them.

I’m looking forward to the March 25 town hall and March 26 interviews with our excellent candidates, which also includes T.C. Broadnax of Dallas and Sara Hensley of Denton.

Thanks,
Kirk

On behalf of Mayor Watson