City council races against time to hire new manager

During a recent government meeting, city officials discussed several key topics, including the ongoing recruitment for a new city manager and the hiring of a grants manager. The council is currently in the final stages of selecting a grants manager, having completed interviews and begun reference checks on a candidate.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the city manager recruitment process. Council members confirmed their awareness of an upcoming special meeting scheduled for the evening of August 16, following a town hall session. This meeting aims to facilitate discussions regarding the top candidate for the city manager position, with plans to gather input from residents attending the town hall. Council members expressed the importance of having a half-hour break between the town hall and the special meeting to ensure adequate time for public engagement.

The council also deliberated on the structure of the special meeting, suggesting that an initial discussion on the record could help identify a clear top candidate through a straw poll. If consensus is reached, an executive session would follow to finalize employment agreement terms. Members emphasized the need for a swift decision to avoid losing potential candidates, especially in light of a recent withdrawal from the process.

Concerns were raised about the timing of the decision-making process, with some council members advocating for a prompt meeting to signal strong interest to preferred candidates. The discussion highlighted the urgency of the recruitment process, as officials aim to finalize the hiring of a new city manager efficiently.

The meeting concluded with plans to address additional agenda items, including a presentation on community programs.