Fort Worth back to square one in city manager search

Robert Francis

rfrancis@bizpress.net

It is back to the drawing board in the search for Fort Worth’s next city manager. After spending most of Tuesday interviewing and discussing the four finalists for the job, the City Council decided to start over. “After several rounds of interviews, the City Council asked our search firm to cast another net for more candidates,” Mayor Betsy Price said in a statement Tuesday night. “Although all of the candidates were strong, I don’t believe we’ve found the best fit.” “All of them are outstanding professionals, and I know they will continue to do great things in their respective communities,” Price’s statement continued. “Our expectations are high, but we’re not going to settle for anything less than the best fit for Fort Worth.” Price said the City Council will discuss the next steps at next Tuesday’s meeting. The city’s hired consultant, Fort Worth-based Whitney Smith Co., said earlier this month it was seriously considering about 12 candidates for the job being vacated by Tom Higgins, who is retiring. The candidates were later narrowed down to four: Milton R. Dohoney, Jr., former city manager in Cincinnati, Ohio; Craig Malin, city administrator, Davenport, Iowa; Mark McDaniel, city manager, Tyler, Texas; and Joyce Wilson, city manager, El Paso. Higgins has been city manager since 2011 after working with the city since 1987, beginning his career with the city as economic development director. Higgins is being paid a salary of $233,393. He announced his retirement last October but will stay on until a new city manager is named.