By Samuel Morgan
The city manager selection is not merely a decision; it’s a defining moment for El Paso. This choice will cast a long shadow, shaping the city’s trajectory for years to come.
It demands unwavering leadership, a clear-eyed focus on the city’s needs, and a complete absence of political grandstanding.
Regrettably, the selection process has been marred by unnecessary drama and political posturing.
Council members, who have been fully involved since February, now seek to distance themselves from the hiring process. This is a blatant disregard of the public’s trust.
The City Charter clearly defines the process and responsibilities of city council for selecting the city manager and fixing the city manager’s salary: “The City Council by a majority vote of its total membership shall appoint a City Manager and fix the Manager’s compensation. The City Manager shall be appointed solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications.”
It’s time for the City Council to rise above the noise and demonstrate true leadership. While differing viewpoints are understandable, the current climate of doubt and speculation is unacceptable.
The selection of a new city manager is not a political chess match; it’s a critical decision that will impact El Paso for decades to come. The focus must remain squarely on finding the most qualified individual to lead our city, not on personal agendas or political posturing.
El Paso deserves a city manager who is a visionary leader, a skilled administrator, and a compassionate public servant. This individual must possess the ability to navigate complex challenges, foster economic growth, and improve the quality of life for all residents.
The next city manager will lead a workforce of over 6,000 employees, requiring exceptional leadership, management, organizational skills, and the capacity to build strong teams.
Each City Council member has a crucial role to play in this decision. To abdicate that responsibility through political maneuvering is a disservice to our community. It is imperative that we prioritize the qualifications and experience of the candidates over personal agendas or electoral ambitions.
The four finalists – Dionne Mack, Nicole Alderete-Ferrini, Robert Cortinas, and Mario D’Agostino – are highly qualified individuals. Our focus should be on selecting the best candidate to lead our city, not on creating distractions or undermining the process.
As the sixth-largest city in Texas, El Paso requires a city manager capable of effectively managing a complex organization, fostering economic growth, and addressing the needs of a diverse population.
The community expects its elected officials to prioritize the needs of El Pasoans above all else. This means making tough decisions, even when they are unpopular. The city manager selection process should be guided by a singular objective: identifying the candidate best equipped to address the challenges and opportunities facing our city.
Our city demands a council united in purpose, dedicated to finding the optimal leader. This is not a moment for personal agendas or electoral calculations. It’s a moment to prioritize El Paso’s future.
The path forward is clear: rise above the fray, make data-driven decisions, and choose the candidate who will propel El Paso forward toward a brighter tomorrow.
Samuel Morgan served as the city representative for District 4 from 2017 to 2021 and is a retired U.S. Army field grade officer.
The post Opinion: El Paso City Council must rise above politics in city manager selection appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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