The Tacoma, Washington, city manager is the lone finalist for the Dallas city manager job, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings announced Friday after a special Dallas City Council meeting.
The council will officially vote Wednesday on whether to appoint T.C. Broadnax to replace retiring Dallas City Manager A.C. Gonzalez.
From about 100 applicants, five finalists interviewed in-person for the job this week with Dallas City Council members.
"It was obvious to us as we discussed this that the council, I think, can come together as one to support Mr. Broadnax," Rawlings said.
Broadnax, 46, has Texas connections. He was an assistant city manager in San Antonio for six years prior to serving nearly five years in Tacoma. He received a masters degree in public administration from the University of North Texas in Denton in 1993.
"I believe that we found our Dak Prescott of the city manager world," said Dallas Councilman Erik Wilson. "He's going to be able to come in and deliver what he's done before in San Antonio and what he was able to do in Tacoma, Washington. I have faith that he will be able to do those same things."
Councilwoman Tiffinni Young said she was impressed that Broadnax went out on his own during his Dallas visit to explore underserved areas of Dallas. She said constituents who met him at a public event Tuesday were also impressed.
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"They talked about having a fresh set of eyes, having someone who was really energized, someone who seems to have a good rapport with everyone who walked up to him. So, I felt like that was important to listen to the voices of our constituents who took the time to come out," Young said.
Gonzalez announced in May 2016 his intent to retire in January 2017. He was unanimously appointed as city manager in January 2014, after serving nearly a year as interim city manager.
Monica Alonzo, the highest ranking Hispanic person on the Dallas City Council, said she supports Broadnax, too.
"We're going to work with Mr. Broadnax and he's going to work with us in the experience that he has," Alonzo said.
The final five candidates are below.
