Austin's quest for a new city manager has zoomed in on TC Broadnax, currently the city manager of Dallas. In a recent public forum, Broadnax shared his achievements in tackling homelessness, a contentious matter in Austin, revealing numbers that surpassed set goals in Dallas. "We're already at 3,600 as it relates to housing people permanently, with a 96% level of keeping those people housed after a year," Broadnax proudly stated at the forum, as reported by CBS Austin. 

The replacement endeavor comes at a time when Austin voters have emphatically voiced their demands for greater police oversight—nearly 80% backing a proposition to strengthen it, according to CBS Austin. Broadnax seems to keenly understand this, advocating for closer cooperation between the city manager and the chief of police. "I think the chief has to have a perspective that policing is better done when you're working and engaging with the public," Broadnax said. With the full Austin City Council set to vote on his appointment, Broadnax's experience and viewpoints appear to align with the capital city's current needs.

Meanwhile, Broadnax's competitor, Sarah Hensley, placed police staffing at the forefront during a series of media questions. "It's hard to hire 350 police officers to fill holes when when people are retiring and people choose to go somewhere else," Hensley said, as per KVUE. Hensley emphasized the necessity of creating an appealing work environment for officers, highlighting the importance of training and opportunities for career advancement.