For the first time in decades, an outsider will be Dallas city manager. T.C. Broadnax takes the post next week. Though Dallas faces some big issues - a major bond election, a struggling police and fire pension system and crumbling streets – Broadnax says those challenges drew him to the job.
Interview Highlights: TC Broadnax…
…On what caught his attention in his early visit to Dallas:
“I went and visited some of the homes [in West Dallas] that have been of great discussion that are obviously in pretty bad condition, able to look at some of the code enforcement issues up close and personal that I think the city has dealt and struggled with, particularly where they’re of less economic means. I just wanted to get a sense of should be, and how I would resolve some of those things as a city manager.”
On the three things on his agenda as Dallas city manager:
“First, the [billion dollar] bond program and what might move forward this fall if the city council sees fit. Secondly, getting my arms around the budget, period, just to make sure it’s responsive to the community. And then animal care services, I understand is a big issue here, as well as our housing issues in this community. [It’s] kind of a lot of things to work on and I don’t think if I started in one place, I’d be wrong. My hope is I’d be able to work with the team to address many of those things at the same time.”
…On tackling Dallas streets:
“[I need to get] a better feel for what we’re spending and see if we’re within the benchmarks of what other communities are spending. Find a way through reallocations, through efficiencies, to figure out how we put more money into street maintenance and then layer that with any bond funding we might have for actual infrastructure improvements. Really, try to fund maintenance through more of a pay-as-you go-type budget. You gotta put your money where your mouth is.”
…On whether he’d be ‘too nice’ to be city manager:
“I think if anyone has experience with me, I’m always focused on results and so at the end of the day, it’s about what you do and how well you do it. IF those things marry up then I think we’ll be fine. If they don’t, we’ll have a conversation about it but I’d also like to be viewed as a nice guy that’s effective.”
T.C. Broadnax is the incoming Dallas city manager. He was previously the city manager in Tacoma, Washington.
