The city manager of Austin, Texas, was fired Wednesday after tens of thousands of residents were left without power during a recent ice storm.
The Austin City Council voted 10-1 to remove Spencer Cronk from a position he held since 2018. His exit is effective Thursday.
“I serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Council and acknowledge their decision,” Cronk said in a statement Wednesday. “In our Council-Manager form of government, the elected officials ultimately decide whether I am the right choice for them to lead our organization. I stand proud of our organizational accomplishments under my tenure.”
The council named Jesús Garza as the interim city manager. He previously served as Austin’s city manager from 1994 to 2002.
Cronk drew criticism for the city’s response to the wicked weather, which began in late January. More than 153,000 customers of the Austin Energy company remained without power on Feb. 2, several days after the storm arrived.
“I offer my heartfelt apologies for any shortcomings in our response,” Cronk said last week. “I want you to know that I am committed to doing everything in my power to support our community. As we will weather this storm, and those to come, we will be stronger together.”
Cronk will receive $436,000 in severance, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
“Running a big, dynamic city such as Austin is an enormous job, and Spencer has been a committed public servant throughout his time as City Manager,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement Wednesday.