La Marque council advances three city manager semifinalists, schedules interviews

The La Marque City Council voted July 16 to advance three semifinalist applications in the city manager search and set a schedule for private interviews and a public reception.

Council member Williams moved to "move forward the following city manager's semifinalist applications, and those numbers are 5, 6, and 7," and a second was given. Mayor (presiding officer) called for a voice vote; members responded in the affirmative and no opposing votes were recorded in the transcript, and the motion was approved.

The action follows an executive-session review earlier in the meeting. The mayor said council staff had screened roughly "about 34" applications and conducted seven video interviews; the council recessed to executive session to discuss semifinalists under cited Texas Government Code provisions for closed deliberations on personnel and related matters.

The council set interviews for the three semifinalists in executive session on July 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. The mayor said council members will name two finalists on July 20 or 21 and that the community will be invited to a reception with finalists on July 27 from 5 to 6 p.m. The mayor also said the council expects to consider naming a permanent city manager at the July 27 meeting.

The mayor cited authority for the executive session using Texas Government Code sections including 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.076, 551.087 and 551.127(b). The transcript does not record a roll-call vote tally; the outcome was recorded by voice vote in open session.

Next steps: the council will hold private interviews on July 20, host a limited community reception on July 27, and may act to name a permanent city manager at the July 27 meeting.