Converse City Council Aug. 16 voted — by the slimmest of margins — to extend an offer to a new city manager.

A 4-3 vote followed an hour-long executive session in which the selected individual — who Mayor Al Suarez said would remain confidential until all terms of a contract are extended and accepted, and background checks are complete — was voted upon once council returned to open session.

The six council members split 3-3 on accepting the as-yet-unnamed new manager. Council Members Nancy Droneburg, Jacqueline Argulo and Marc Gilbert voted to approve the nominee, while Members Deborah James, Chris Clark and Kate Silvas cast votes against the nomination.

Suarez used his vote to break the tie, voting in the affirmative.

The manager-designee was among a group of five finalists that the city began to interview in mid-July. Suarez said he expects the manager to be in place by mid-September.

The new manager will step into the seat vacated by former City Manager Le Ann Piatt, who had been the city’s administrative leader since March 2018. Council approved a “unilateral separation agreement” that led to Piatt’s departure at its May 3 meeting.

Police Chief Bobby Lane has served as interim city manager since being appointed by council May 17. Lane was named Converse Police Chief in April 2021 after stints as assistant chief for University of Texas Health and Science Center and as a detective with the El Paso Police Department, where he had last served.

jflinn@express-news.net