AUSTIN, Texas — City Manager Spencer Cronk continues to support a four-year agreement with the Austin Police Association, setting the stage for Austin City Council to fire him on Wednesday.

Cronk’s performance as city manager was on last week’s council agenda – specifically, his handling of the recent ice storm that left thousands without electricity for multiple days. But that focus was upended when Cronk and the Austin Police Association posted a hastily called news conference last Thursday morning to announce they had reached a four-year agreement.

That action — and its timing — infuriated council members who had placed a resolution on last Thursday’s council agenda to reduce the police contract from four years to one. Council Member José "Chito" Vela drafted the resolution, with support from Mayor Kirk Watson, in deference to two ballot measures that will go to Austin voters in May to increase civilian oversight of the police.

What You Need To Know

  • Austin City Council has added City Manager Spencer Cronk's severance package to the agenda of Wednesday's meeting

  • Cronk sent a statement out Saturday night, defending his choice to negotiate a four-year contract with the Austin Police Association

  • Members of the City Council intended to cut the term of the police contract to a year to give Austin voters a chance to weigh in on civilian oversight

  • The resolution to discuss Cronk's severance package was supported by four City Council members, including Mayor Kirk Watson

Cronk offered no apologies for his actions in a statement posted Saturday night, right after a discussion of his potential severance package was added to the council agenda. The only other item on the agenda is the discussion of the one-year contract extension.

“My obligation, one of many as City Manager, is to ensure the safety of all of our residents,” Cronk said in his statement. “Moving forward on a four-year contract provides greater assurance that the safety of our residents remains intact.”

Department staffing could be compromised if a one-year contract is pursued, said Cronk, adding that he had concerns about the financial impact on the city’s general fund.

Cities operate under one of two models: council-manager or strong mayor. Austin operates under the council-manager model, with the council executing legislative functions and the city manager operating as the city's chief executive officer. Larger cities typically use the strong mayor form of government. Medium-sized and smaller-sized cities use council-manager.

The item to review Cronk’s severance package and discuss the appointment of an interim manager was placed on the agenda by four members: Watson, Mayor Pro Tem Paige Ellis, Council Member Alison Alter and Vela. A majority of the 10-member council must vote in favor of the resolution to remove Cronk.

Last December, the Council approved a 10% pay raise for Cronk, bringing his salary to $388,000. Cronk, who was recruited from a similar position in Minneapolis, joined the city in 2018. The search for Cronk, who replaced Marc Ott, took 16 months. Ott resigned to take a job leading a Washington D.C.-based trade association.

According to the terms of Cronk’s contract, his severance package would be 12 months of base pay plus a lump sum that would cover six months of premiums for health care coverage.

“Severance package is payable only under circumstances of involuntary separation, forced resignation, or change in the form of city government,” according to the ordinance approved by council. “In no event is the severance package payable if termination is due to the conviction of a crime of moral turpitude or any criminal act involving job duties."