The imminent appointment of Kim Tolbert as Dallas’s city manager has drawn little public scrutiny, despite significant concerns among informed residents and stakeholders.
Conversations with business and political leaders reveal a “wall of silence” surrounding her selection — a silence that speaks volumes about the state of Dallas’s governance.
Many view Tolbert as a continuation of the status quo — a career city hall bureaucrat whose long tenure in Dallas city government, including her role under former City Manager T.C. Broadnax, leaves her closely tied to the policies and failures of his administration.
Broadnax, whose leadership left much to be desired, presided over a period marked by rising homelessness, a persistent police staffing shortage and fiscal inefficiencies.
Tolbert’s close association with this regime, serving as assistant city manager to Broadnax, raises questions about her capacity to usher in the bold, transformative leadership Dallas so desperately needs.
The city manager selection process itself has come under fire for its lack of transparency and rigor.
For a city of Dallas’s size and complexity, the process should have been more open, competitive, and included a true national search for the most qualified candidate.
Instead, it appeared to be a foregone conclusion, with insiders pulling the strings to maintain their grip on power.
Even current city council members called into question the selection of the search firm conducting the search.
T.C. Broadnax’s influence lingers in other ways. During his tenure, he cultivated relationships with key city council members, ensuring votes aligned with his agenda.
This dynamic has perpetuated a lack of accountability and genuine debate on critical issues.
The silence from business and political leaders regarding Tolbert’s imminent appointment suggests either complicity or fear of reprisal in a system that discourages dissent.
Meanwhile, pressing issues like homelessness and public safety remain unresolved.
Dallas’s homeless population grows as resources remain insufficient, and the police force—already stretched thin—struggles to meet the city’s growing needs.
Dallas deserves leaders unafraid to speak truth to power. Breaking the silence is the first step toward addressing these systemic challenges and creating a city government that serves all its residents, not just a select few.