Whether Spencer Cronk retains his position as Austin city manager will be decided by the Austin City Council on Wednesday, per reports from Austin-based media outlets.
Hired to the office in 2017, Cronk faces scrutiny over his response to the winter disturbance that came through the state capital and surrounding areas earlier this month.
The storm caused tens of thousands of Austin Energy customers to be rendered without electricity for as much as a whole week.
According to Austin CBS affiliate KEYE, the city council will discuss a severance package and the possibility of hiring an interim city manager.
Several members of the 11-member body expressed criticism toward Cronk, with three of them and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson having submitted the fate of his employment as an agenda item, Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported.
“The members of the city council had a productive executive session on Thursday night,” Watson, who was sworn into office last month, said, Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported. “I’m going to honor that process and won’t comment on the matters that were discussed.”
While Cronk faces the prospect of being ousted by the end of the week, he asserts he’s still the city manager.
"I am Austin's city manager and no actions have been taken by the mayor and city council to change my responsibilities or role," he said in a statement obtained by KVUE. "I continue to be focused on serving this community and leading our dedicated workforce."
KEYE reported that some of the city’s residents welcome Cronk’s probable departure.
Per KXAN, approximately 99% of Austin Energy customers had their power fully restored on Saturday, a day before the projected date given by the utility company.
Customers still in the dark are so because of damage to customer-owned equipment for which they require the services of an electrician, the station reported.
Austin Energy said, KXAN reported, that compromised trees could contribute to future outages.