Johnson’s office announced the agreement last week and outlined several areas of improvement for the city manager and his subordinates.
“A little over a week ago, I said that it was time for a change at the top of our city government,” Johnson said in a news release. “I still believe we need change. But after some serious and frank discussions with our city manager, I believe he is ready to make the necessary changes to address issues that are critically important to our residents.”
Broadnax faced Johnson’s ire and the disappointment of council members Cara Mendelsohn, Paula Blackmon, and Gay Donnell Willis, all of whom called for the city manager to be dismissed.
In the same release, Broadnax highlighted his role in running the City of Dallas.
“I know my team and I can be better. I understand that I am fully accountable to my 15 bosses. So today, I want to say to the mayor, to the members of the City Council, and to all the residents of this dynamic city: I accept the challenge,” Broadnax said.
“I take full responsibility for addressing the issues that are critical to the long-term success of the City. I recognize that our problems are not just about what the media reports, but how we perform. I own that.”
Problem areas that Broadnax agreed to address include wait times for 911 calls and the hiring practices of the city. He also agreed to continue working to improve public safety and orchestrate “meet-and-confer negotiations” with first responders.
The agreement also requires addressing backlog issues with the city’s permitting process and improving communication.
While Johnson presides over the city council, Broadnax is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city and makes critical personnel decisions such as hiring the police chief.
The Dallas City Council had been scheduled to meet two weeks ago to possibly fire Broadnax, but Johnson postponed the meeting to last week. Another meeting was called off after Johnson became ill with COVID-19.
The mayor’s office indicated Broadnax and the four other employees that report to the council will receive performance reviews in August.
The city council itself experienced personnel changes last week. The council elected Councilwoman Carolyn King Arnold as mayor pro tem and Councilman Omar Narvaez as deputy mayor pro tem.
All members of the council are up for reelection next year.
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Hayden Sparks
Hayden Sparks is a senior reporter for The Texan and a lifelong resident of the Lone Star State. He has coached competitive speech and debate and has been involved in politics since a young age. One of Hayden's favorite quotes is by Sam Houston: "Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may."
