Nearly 40 people applied to be Austin's next city manager, here's what comes next

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After extending the application deadline, 39 people applied to be Austin's next city manager, according to an update sent to council by Mayor Kirk Watson.

Watson noted some of the people who applied will not meet minimum requirements and will not move forward.

The application process closed February 26 and Austin City Council will review the candidates Tuesday, March 5, according to the mayor.

"We have additional time identified later this month and in early April for candidate interviews and a community townhall with final candidates," Watson wrote.

The mayor has said a new city manager is likely to be selected by April.

How we got here

All but one member of Austin’s City Council voted to fire former City Manager Spencer Cronk during a meeting last year. He faced increased scrutiny following prolonged power outages from an ice storm in early February and negotiation with the Austin Police Association on a four-year deal “in principal,” which ultimately fell through.

Cronk still received his base pay salary for 12 months, plus six months of COBRA payments and other payouts, which add up to about $463,000.

Jesús Garza has been serving as interim city manager since.

Garza previously served as city manager of Austin under Mayor Kirk Watson in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was also behind a PAC that fundraised money in support of Watson during his campaign last year.

We talked to Garza about his priorities here.