DALLAS —  Dallas City Council on Tuesday appointed current Deputy City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert to the position of interim city manager as the search gets underway for a permanent city manager.

Tolbert was approved in a 12-to-2 vote. Current Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax last week informed city leaders he will leave on June 3.

A news release from Dallas City Council cites an ineffective relationship between Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and Broadnax, saying that they need to “address this issue head-on in order to move forward.” Broadnax has had the job since 2017. As of 2022, his annual salary exceeded $423,000.

Almost two years ago, a heated controversy arose when Mayor Johnson and City Council members discussed the possibility of firing Broadnax or requesting his resignation. Council members acknowledged they had requested Broadnax's resignation because of longstanding disagreements.

Before coming to Dallas, Broadnax held the position of city manager in Tacoma, Washington, for five years. He also worked as an assistant city manager in San Antonio and in Pompano Beach, Florida.

“Alongside local leaders, we will remain laser focused on the vital issues in front of us such as the upcoming Bond Program election, FY25 Budget development, homelessness, and stabilizing the police and fire pensions,” Tolbert wrote in a news release.

“I support the City Council's decision and believe that Kimberly Bizor Tolbert is more than qualified, capable, and committed to lead Dallas through this transition. I am confident she will work in partnership with the City Council and lead our talented and dedicated staff to serve our residents,” Broadnax wrote in the same news release.

Spectrum News 1's Kelsey Leffingwell contributed to this report.