Austin is seeking a new city manager. It just took a step forward in finding candidates

The next steps in the hunt for Austin's new chief executive are underway.

The City Council committee tasked with initiating the process of hiring a new city manager has reached a decision on the outside firm they will be recommending to conduct the nationwide search, according to a post from Austin Mayor Kirk Watson on the City Council message board.

American-Statesman
 

The committee — Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, José “Chito” Vela, Leslie Pool, Paige Ellis and Watson — will recommend Mosaic Public Partners as the search firm. Their recommendation requires council approval and is expected to be on the City Council agenda for the Oct. 19 meeting, according to Watson's post.

"The Committee ... interviewed four national firms (three in person and one virtually) and evaluated references before deciding to make this recommendation," Watson wrote. "Mosaic Public Partners is a national search firm with broad experience in recruiting public sector officials, including previously recruiting positions for the City of Austin."

Austin's mayor, city council and a city manager: How Austin's local government works

Austin operates on a "council-manager" government model — meaning the mayor and City Council oversee legislative functions and the city manager carries them out, according to the city. The city manager is appointed by the mayor and City Council and oversees the drafting and presentation of each fiscal year's budget.

The city paid over $150,000 to the search firm Russell Reynolds Associates when hiring former City Manager Spencer Cronk, according to records obtained by the American-Statesman through the Texas Public Information Act.

Interim City Manager Jesús Garza was brought on in February after the City Council voted to oust Cronk in part due to the city's response to the 2023 winter storm that left thousands without power.

Once approved by the City Council, the search firm develops the candidate profile, the recruiting process and the community outreach program, according to a city timeline on the new city manager search.

"Among other factors the Committee considered in making this recommendation was Mosaic's commitment to an open, transparent process that involved a robust public process," Watson wrote.

Watson has said the city hopes to have a permanent city manager by September 2024, after the 2024-25 fiscal year budget has been approved.

"By doing that, the new manager will not be brought in during the budget process, which would be difficult," Watson said.

The manager appointment is projected to come a few months before the general election in which, among other positions, the mayor's seat will be up for grabs.