The Fort Worth City Council officially confirmed Jay Chapa’s appointment as the new City Manager in a decisive 9-1 vote on Tuesday, despite previous opposition from two council members.
A debate over the speed of the hiring process for the new manager marked this week’s city council meeting. While Chapa’s appointment was ultimately approved, some council members and community members expressed concerns that the process had been too rushed and lacked an adequate review, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Council Member Chris Nettles, the only member who directly voted against the hire, was particularly vocal in his opposition.
Nettles questioned the transparency of the selection process and raised some concerns about potential conflicts of interest. He pointed to Chapa’s recent work as a lobbyist and consultant, specifically for clients seeking contracts and economic development deals with the City of Fort Worth, suggesting that his past could pose some ethical concerns for the city.
Council Member Jared Williams abstained from voting. The duo, along with other community leaders, voiced their concerns about Chapa at a press conference earlier this month.
However, other council members and city officials supported the hiring, arguing that the selection process for the role had been well-considered and substantially thorough.
“We fully support City staff, our HR Department, and City Legal who have … worked tirelessly to ensure a diverse talent pool of candidates, fair process, and thoroughly vetted competitive finalists to help council in selecting Fort Worth’s next city manager,” Mayor Mattie Parker posted alongside a recent online statement.
“Ultimately, we believe Jay Chapa is the best person for the job, and Fort Worth should celebrate his historic appointment as our city’s first Hispanic city manager,” the mayor added.
Chapa will take over from current City Manager David Cooke next month, who announced his retirement earlier this year after more than a decade in the role.
The newly incoming city manager is set to receive an annual salary of $435,000 and a $7,200 car allowance, according to an offer letter obtained by Fort Worth Star-Telegram. His starting salary will reportedly be $23,000 more than Cooke’s current pay.