La Marque's City Council selected Texas First Group to conduct a search for an interim city manager during a special meeting, and directed staff to notify the firm and begin identifying candidates.

Mayor Pro Tem said the council's immediate goal is to name an interim city manager quickly and to preserve continuity in city operations. "We're not gonna be rudderless," the mayor pro tem said, adding that the process should be "business like." The council emphasized it is not seeking a permanent city manager at this time and will pursue a separate permanent search after an investigation into recent events.

The council discussed the selection process before the vote. A staff member told the council the mayor and staff contacted several resources and organizations, including the Texas Municipal League and the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC). The staff member said HGAC maintains a roster of vetted firms and that the council's selection process for this professional services contract does not require a formal bid. The Texas Municipal League told staff it would not place candidates but could post an announcement when appropriate.

Council members heard background information about the selected firm. The mayor pro tem said Texas First Group was established in 2000, is woman- and minority-owned, and that one of the firm's principals formerly served as a city administrator for the city of Santa Fe. The council noted Texas First Group focuses on interim management placements, including interim city managers, and that the firm could quickly identify candidates for the council to consider.

During the motion, the mayor pro tem moved to select Texas First Group; the motion received a second and was approved. No individual roll-call vote with member names was recorded in the discussion; council members voiced assent during the vote. After the action, council directed staff to notify Texas First Group of the selection and to begin arranging candidate presentations so the council can consider naming an interim city manager by Monday.

Acting City Manager Miller was thanked for continuing in the role during the transition. Council members also said the council will later develop an independent investigation into recent events and then issue a request for proposals for a permanent city manager.

The council's next steps are administrative: staff notification of the selected firm, Texas First Group identifying interim candidates for council review, and a future agenda item to name an interim city manager. Additional agenda items will address the planned independent review and a permanent recruitment RFP.