Dallas Council To Vote For New City Manager Next Wednesday

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The sole finalist to become the next Dallas City Manager, T.C. Broadnax, toured the city with the four other candidates Monday.

But on his own time, city leaders say Broadnax visited under-served areas of the city, including West Dallas, where hundreds of renters may soon lose their homes.

One of those renters trying to buy her home, Ashton Elder appreciates what Broadnax did.

"I feel like that's a good thing because he didn't have to do that. He could have just waited for the information, he could have read it in the paper and looked up articles like everyone else."

Earlier this week, Broadnax told CBS11 what he thought separated himself from the other candidates.

"Finding a way to help communities work through issues and get resources in my opinion in an equitable manner, as well as my leadership-style. As the young lady was saying I'm definitely out in the community."

Broadnax is city manager of Tacoma, Washington and previously served as an assistant city manager of San Antonio.

Dallas council member Tiffinni Young said she's impressed. "He took the initiative to get out and really learn all different parts of the city. I was really impressed with some of the programs he's done in the city of Tacoma as well as San Antonio."

And Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings agreed. "It was great, I loved that."

Mayor Rawlings said when he called Broadnax Friday morning he was excited. Rawlings said he also spoke with Tacoma's Mayor. "She assured me that if council chose him, that we'd be making a great decision."

If approved by city council Wednesday, Broadnax will have to start work on serious challenges facing the city: Solve the cash-starved police and fire pension fund, hire a new police chief, help the homeless, deal with the city's crumbling streets, and monitor West Dallas residents' efforts to buy their homes from landlord, HMK.

"A lot of people think the fight is over. It's not over," said Ashton Elder .

The Mayor said if the city council votes to hire Broadnax, as is expected, the city will negotiate his starting date and his salary, estimated to be around $400,000.

Among the finalists for the city's top job was a Dallas Assistant City Manager, Mark McDaniel. He was out of the office when CBS11 called and left a message Friday seeking comment.

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