Watertown Council addresses city manager hiring process transparency concerns

The Watertown City Council meeting on March 3, 2025, focused on the ongoing search for a new city manager and updates from the Home Rule Charter Midterm Review Committee. A significant concern raised during the meeting was the transparency of the hiring process for the city manager position.

Council member Randy Allen expressed worries that the search firm, Robert Half, had not adequately advertised the position, which has not yet been posted on the city’s website or other typical platforms. Allen emphasized the importance of a transparent recruitment process to ensure a diverse pool of candidates, arguing that the community deserves to know who is being considered for the role. He also advocated for public meet-and-greet sessions with finalists to foster community engagement and ensure the candidates can effectively interact with residents.

In response, other council members clarified that the contract with Robert Half was signed only two weeks prior, suggesting that it was premature to expect a fully developed recruitment process. They assured that the firm would be given time to properly advertise the position.

Additionally, the Home Rule Charter Midterm Review Committee provided an update on their progress in evaluating the city’s governance structure. Chair Kyle Lallam reported that they had received a high response rate to their surveys from council members and city staff, indicating strong engagement in assessing the effectiveness of the city manager form of government. The committee plans to present their findings and recommendations at the council's first meeting in April.

The discussions highlighted the council's commitment to transparency and community involvement in the hiring process, as well as the ongoing evaluation of the city's governance structure to ensure long-term success.