DALLAS — Dallas City Council members are giving their reactions after City Manager T.C. Broadnax, who has been with the city since 2017, submitted his resignation.
"I am proud of what I have accomplished and am grateful for the support I received during my tenure. My sincere gratitude to the people of this great city for allowing me to serve and to make significant contributions to this community," Broadnax said in a statement. "It is my hope that my departure provides the City Council an opportunity to reset, refocus, and transition to a new City Manager that continues to move the City forward and will allow for a more effective working relationship with the Mayor and the City Council moving forward.
A joint reaction statement published by the Dallas City Council, says Broadnax resigned at the suggestion of the majority of the council.
"This resignation is a necessary step towards fostering an environment conducive to maximizing the potential of our beloved city," the statement reads.
The statement goes onto say it became apparent the relationship between Broadnax and "key citywide figures" hasn't been conducive to effective governance and Dallas' interests.
"The dynamic between these key citywide figures has unfortunately hindered the realization of our city's full potential, and it is imperative that we address this issue head-on in order to move forward," the statement says.
Mayor Eric Johnson in a statement acknowledged he and Broadnax "did not always see eye to eye," but said they "still worked together to help move this city forward" and wished Broadnax well.
"I received word of the city manager’s resignation via memo today and briefly spoke with him afterward about his decision. TC was tough — he often knew what he wanted for Dallas and would fight hard for it. And I would do the same," Johnson said. "We did not always see eye to eye, but we still worked together to help move this city forward. After his seven years of working for our city, I want to wish him well on whatever comes next."
The city council said in the statement that Broadnax's resignation provides an opportunity to search for a new city manager who shares the vision for the future of Dallas.
"We are confident that with the support of our residents and stakeholders, we will emerge from this transition stronger and more united," the statement concludes.
District 1 Council Member Chad West said in a statement that he wishes Broadnax well in his future endeavors.
"During his tenure, he worked with Council to move the hall forward on many matters important to our residents," West said in the statement. "With his upcoming departure, we must and will keep the city’s momentum going in our housing, economic development, environmental, and parks and trails efforts. Dallas is a city on the move, and I look forward to working with whomever steps up to the plate in the coming weeks.”
Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins told WFAA he wish he could have spoken to Broadnax before he sent his resignation letter.
"I do not know what happened right now," Atkins said.
District 11 Council Member Jaynie Schultz told WFAA there would be a council meeting at 1 p.m. next Tuesday to discuss an interim city manager to fill in come June.
"This is a sad day for our city," Schultz said in her statement. "We must realize that there was nothing else Mr. Broadnax could do for Dallas given the oppositional forces beyond our control."
Schultz concluded by saying Dallas will rise to the moment and emerge stronger.
"I hope that my fellow elected officials will reflect on how we can pull together and give clear direction to our other appointed professionals, our city staff, and our residents," she said. "Now more than ever, we must be one Dallas."
District 6 Council Member Omar Narvaez said in a statement he was thankful for Broadnax's service to the city and wishes him well in his future endeavors.
"I am proud to have worked with him during my tenure to move Dallas forward on issues facing everyday people like increasing affordable housing, slowing gentrification, creating new jobs, improving infrastructure, addressing environmental justice, navigating a global pandemic, and improving public safety all with a racial equity focus on historically divested communities," Narvaez said.
District 9 Council Member Paula Blackmon thanked Broadnax for his seven years to the city.
"In our council-manager government, the City Manager is the one who runs the city, and he did an admirable job in very challenging times, including helping navigate the city through the COVID epidemic," Blackmon said. "As we seek a successor, we aim to find an individual committed to Dallas's growth and prosperity. I'm confident we will find a new leader who shares our vision for our thriving city."
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia, who was hired three years ago by Broadnax, said his departure feels like getting recruited by a great coach to a great college, only for that coach to leave at the start of his senior year.
"I'd go through a wall for them," Garcia said about Broadnax. "He's something else. He's going to be very difficult to replace."
Garcia called Broadnax an honest, supportive leader who never wanted the spotlight. He said Broadnax always supported and stood up for his department heads, and let them do their jobs.
"His leadership is going to be sorely missed," Garcia said.
Dallas Fire Chief Dominique Artis sent WFAA a statement on Thursday, saying he was thankful for the leadership Broadnax provided during his time as city manager.
"He gave me the opportunity, as an untested Fire Chief, to lead the 9th largest fire department in the county, and for that I will be forever grateful," Artis said. "I wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
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