City Manager
Austin City Council passes official vote to fire City Manager Spencer Cronk
After initial reports that Austin City Council would move forward with a vote to fire City Manager Spencer Cronk, a final decision has been made. The Austin City Council on Wednesday voted to fire Cronk following his response to the winter storm earlier this month.
The council voted 10-1, with only Natasha Harper-Madison (District 1) voting against Cronk's firing.
Cronk's termination is effective Thursday, February 16. He will receive a one-year severance of $463,001.50, under a City ordinance in which he was hired in 2018. Former city manager Jesus Garza will serve as interim city manager.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and three councilmembers had placed on Wednesday's agenda paying Cronk a severance of a one-year salary. The council was set to discuss a "transition plan for an interim city manager."
When he initially announced the council would be evaluating Cronk's employment, Watson said that the City's response to the winter storm was "unacceptable."
"The management of this situation and the lack of clear, timely and accurate communication has left our community in the dark. It is unacceptable. The City of Austin can do and will do better," Watson said, adding, "While the members of the City Council answer to the people of Austin, the City Manager answers to us."
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