The spring retirement announced by City Manager Toby Futrell raises the question of how the city will fill key openings — particularly directors of city departments — while Futrell is a lame duck. The philosophies and talents of the individuals selected for those leadership positions can strongly shape how the city implements council policy over the next decade on urban planning and land use, environmental protection and climate protection — among other initiatives.
Key positions open include Public Works Department director (with Sondra Creighton retiring) and a deputy general manager for Austin Energy. Futrell just selected a new director for the Austin Water Utility (to start Sept. 24) after a nine-month search: Greg Meszaros, formerly the Director of City Utilities and Public Works in Fort Wayne, Ind. All three of those positions will have a huge impact on whether the city achieves the milestone goals of the Austin Climate Protection Plan, for example. The architectural and planning vision and quality for upcoming city projects also is at stake. Also open is the position of permanent director for the Convention Center Department (where Hymie Gonzales is acting director, with fired Robert Hodge under investigation) and director of EMS.
During her tenure, Futrell has played a strong role in the director-selection process. Will council let her fill these open positions or now seize the opportunity to assert more influence? That question became part of the council discussion during the uncertain period between Futrell’s last personnel review in April and her July retirement announcement.
“While I believe we need to move forward as a city and fill these very important positions,” commented Council Member Mike Martinez by e-mail, “I would also think that we need to somehow make it very clear that if CM Futrell makes appointments before she retires, there is going to have to be a level of understanding that any new City Manager that we eventually hire will still have support from council if they come in and choose to make key changes in establishing their ‘team.’ I believe it’s only the right thing to do.”
Martinez pointed to a recent precedent: During the yearlong process of hiring a new police chief, the city kept all vacancies officially open at the assistant chief rank, filling them with acting assistant chiefs from the force. When Chief Art Acevedo was hired, he was encouraged to assemble his own key staff and make necessary appointments.
This article appears in August 17 • 2007.