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Commission OKs ordinance to allow multiple deputy city managers
Summary
On first reading the Brownsville commission approved Ordinance No. 2026-1805 to permit the city manager's office to appoint more than one deputy city manager, citing the size of large portfolios such as public safety and public works as justification.
The Brownsville City Commission on May 26 advanced Ordinance No. 2026-1805 on first reading to amend the city's administrative code so the city manager may appoint more than one deputy city manager.
City staff presented an organizational chart showing two large portfolios — one focused on public safety and another on engineering, public works and development — each overseeing more than 300 employees. Staff argued that allowing 'one or more' deputy city managers would give the manager flexibility to assign deputy-level oversight to large portfolios rather than require the city manager to manage day-to-day operations for every large division.
Commissioners asked whether interim deputies would become permanent and staff said that would be scheduled at the discretion of the commission, with the intention that some interim positions could be made permanent. After a public hearing with no speakers, the commission voted to approve the ordinance on first reading.
The ordinance text specifies that the city manager may have one or more deputies but does not mandate a specific number. Staff said the change is intended to provide managerial bandwidth to oversee complex portfolios and was presented with a proposed organizational chart.
