Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins has announced the three finalists vying for the City Manager role in Dallas: Fort Worth Assistant City Manager William Johnson, Sacramento Assistant City Manager Mario Lara, and Dallas’ current interim City Manager Kimberly Tolbert.
The City Council relied heavily on the Baker Tilly search firm to offer a healthy candidate pool. However, the firm’s report listed only four qualified candidates for Dallas’ next city manager role, leading to frustrations among some Council members. A Special Called Meeting to address the search process was canceled due to low attendance, as reported by The Dallas Express.
“Hiring a city manager is one of the most critical duties of any city council member. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to ensure this process is prioritized and completed swiftly. Many of our executive city staff, who shape the vision and direction of our city, are serving in interim roles. It is imperative that we secure permanent and stable leadership to address long-standing challenges,” Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua previously stated to The Dallas Express.
Dallas initiated the process of selecting a new city manager following TC Broadnax’s resignation in February 2024. As interim city manager, Tolbert has encountered scrutiny regarding her management of policy matters, including her opposition to the HERO amendments.
The City Council Ad Hoc Committee for Administrative Affairs will now host three “Meet and Greet” sessions, according to a January 4 press release by Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins.
These events will allow residents to interact with the finalists and gain insights into their visions for Dallas’s future. Per the press release, the sessions are scheduled as follows:
– Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM – Dallas City Hall (Main Lobby, 1500 Marilla St., Dallas, TX)
– Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 3:00 PM – Singing Hills Recreation Center (6805 Patrol Way, Dallas, TX)
– Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM – Fretz Recreation Center (6950 Beltline, Dallas, TX)
Candidate profiles were briefly given in the press release.
William Johnson: Currently serving as the Assistant City Manager in Fort Worth, Johnson has overseen Economic Development, Police, Public Events, and the City’s Water Utility since 2019. His previous roles include Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Public Works Commissioner in Atlanta, as well as Director of Transportation in Baltimore. He also has significant leadership experience in the private sector, particularly in Emergency Services.
Mario Lara: Lara is the Assistant City Manager for Public Safety in Sacramento, where he has managed the Police, Fire, Emergency Management, and Community Response departments since May 2022. He previously held the position of Director of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment and has leadership experience in both the Riverside City Manager’s Office and San Bernardino County.
Kimberly Tolbert: Tolbert has been serving as the Interim City Manager for Dallas since May 2024. Prior to this, she was Deputy City Manager with oversight of Aviation, Communication and Marketing, Water Utilities, Human Resources, and the Office of Homeless Solutions. Her professional career in Dallas also includes roles as Chief of Staff and Assistant City Manager, as well as nearly a decade in executive positions with the North Texas Tollway Authority.
The City of Dallas urges residents to contribute their insights and opinions, as this input is vital in ensuring that the new city manager genuinely embodies the city’s values and interests.
“These sessions provide an invaluable opportunity for our community to meet the candidates and share their vision for the future of Dallas,” stated Mayor Pro-Tem Atkins.
“We encourage residents to attend and engage in this important process,” Atkins added.