Austin’s Former Interim City Manager Found to Have Violated Ethics Rules in Hiring Practices

Austin City Manager Ethics Investigation Results Released

In the bustling city of Austin, news is buzzing about a recent investigation into former interim City Manager Jesús Garza. This investigation, led by an independent consulting firm, has concluded that Garza violated city ethics rules while hiring two former city employees, Joe Canales and Laura Huffman, without going through the proper channels, namely the City Council. With Austin facing significant crises, Garza maintains that his swift decisions were a response to an urgent situation.

The Investigation Details

The investigation was commissioned by the Office of the City Auditor and performed by Weaver and Tidwell LLP alongside attorney Ross Fischer. Their task was to examine a complaint concerning Garza’s hiring practices, specifically the employment of Canales and Huffman as consultants without consulting the City Council. Notably, these hires happened during a critical time for the city, following the abrupt firing of the previous City Manager, Spencer Cronk, in mid-February 2023.

Garza had previously served as city manager from 1994 to 2002, and his experience made him a candidate for the urgent job at hand. However, the investigation found that using a longstanding city contractor to bring on these two might have sidestepped the city’s typical hiring norms, which has raised eyebrows in the community.

What the Report Found

According to the audit, Garza’s actions were in conflict with a city regulation that states, “a salaried city official or employee may not use their official position to secure special privileges.” This regulation aims to ensure fair hiring processes and prevents undue influence in city affairs. The report highlighted that Huffman had received almost $286,000 for her consulting work, while Canales’ compensation was pegged to a deputy city manager salary, totaling around $325,000.

It appears that both Canales and Huffman were operating in what could be described as de facto assistant city manager roles, owing to their previous extensive leadership experience within the city’s framework. These hires did not go through the formal city hiring procedure, leading to concerns about transparency and proper governance.

Garza’s Defense

In his defense, Garza expressed strong disagreement with the findings, emphasizing the urgency of the multiple crises Austin was facing, including repercussions from severe weather events and issues with the city’s emergency services. He stated, “It was essential to have the right expertise, so in the essence of time, I brought in two highly skilled former City of Austin employees to address these issues effectively.” Garza firmly believes that the decision to hire Canales and Huffman was justified and necessary given the circumstances, which he described as emergencies that needed immediate attention.

The Bigger Picture

It’s important to note that this investigation will be reviewed by the Ethics Review Commission, which will decide if any further actions are warranted. The city has a charter that limits purchasing authority, meant to prevent any potential misuse of power, and this incident brings to light how critical it is for city leaders to follow these regulations closely.

As a community, many residents are likely looking for clarity in how their city is managed and ensuring that leaders are held accountable for their decisions. Whether Garza’s quick thinking to hire support during crises is viewed positively or as a major oversight remains to be seen. The upcoming review by the Ethics Review Commission should provide further insights into how Austin navigates this stormy affair.

Stay tuned as we continue to track the developments in this situation and how it may affect Austin’s leadership and community trust.