During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing search for a new city manager, facilitated by a national HR firm. The commission had previously decided to conduct a comprehensive search, resulting in over 120 resumes from candidates across 29 states. Notably, the HR company reached out to highly qualified individuals, even those who did not formally apply, indicating a proactive approach to identifying potential candidates.

While the search yielded a diverse pool of applicants, the finalists presented were exclusively male, which raised concerns among some commissioners. One official expressed disappointment over the lack of female candidates, despite acknowledging that qualified women had applied. The official emphasized the transparency of the process, which may deter some candidates from applying due to the potential impact on their current employment.

The meeting underscored the complexities of the recruitment process and the challenges of achieving gender diversity in leadership roles. As the search continues, officials are committed to evaluating the finalists and determining the next steps in selecting the new city manager.