Austin official likely to guide San Marcos

Assistant City Manager Bert Lumbreras is lone finalist for top job there.

Bert Lumbreras is returning to his San Marcos roots.

Lumbreras, who has served as an assistant city manager in Austin since 2006, is the lone finalist to become San Marcos city manager, the city announced Monday morning.

The move will be a homecoming of sorts for Lumbreras, who earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from what is now Texas State University.

“I have strong ties to San Marcos,” Lumbreras said in a statement, noting he started his government career as an intern at San Marcos City Hall. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to come full circle in my public service career in this leadership role and work with an active and vibrant community, a passionate City Council and a talented staff.”

Lumbreras was one of five finalists announced last month as possible successors to Jared Miller, who stepped down in January to become city manager of Amarillo. Charles Daniels has been serving as San Marcos’ interim city manager.

Details have not been announced on the timing of Lumbreras’ departure from Austin City Hall, but his move creates another high-level vacancy in a city that is also searching for its own city manager, police chief and numerous other department heads.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler called Lumbreras’ departure a loss for the city, but said “I’m excited for San Marcos and I think he’ll be a great leader.”

Adler said he wasn’t worried about a brain drain at Austin City Hall, calling it