Salina commission interviews four executive-search firms and selects Government Professional Services

The Salina City Commission on March 12, 2025, conducted online interviews with four executive-search firms and, after public deliberation, voted unanimously to enter a contract with Government Professional Services (GPS) to lead the city manager recruitment.

Commissioners heard hourlong presentations and answered questions from representatives of GPS; Baker Tilly; Strategic Government Resources (SGR); and Raftelis. Each firm described its recruitment process, outreach methods and candidate vetting. After the presentations the commission discussed relative strengths and differences in public session and then made a formal selection.

Why it matters: The city is preparing to replace its long‑time city manager and the chosen firm will shape the candidate pool, the community-engagement plan and the finalist interview process. Commissioners said they wanted a firm that would both recruit broadly and tailor the finalist process to local priorities.

During his presentation, Chris Lowe of Government Professional Services described his firm as former city managers who now run searches: “We are not what we consider to be an executive search firm, we are city managers who hire city managers,” he said, adding GPS emphasizes using personal networks and customizing finalist exercises to test candidates’ fit with a community. GPS proposed a firm fixed fee in its written proposal; commissioners recorded that figure in discussion as provided in GPS’s submission.

Representatives from Baker Tilly (Art Davis and Jennifer Curtis) described a process that includes a semifinalist group of eight to 12 candidates, video interviews and optional community meet-and-greets. Jennifer Curtis said Baker Tilly aims to present a diverse candidate pool and provides background and media checks on semifinalists.

Lisonbee Barker of Strategic Government Resources described SGR’s “stakeholder engagement” phase and a typical 90–120 day timeline. Barker said SGR provides a partially blind reference process and offers follow‑up leadership development as part of its full‑service package. In its proposal SGR listed a not‑to‑exceed price of $29,004.19 and said it would include up to $2,500 in advertising costs.

Anne Lewis of Raftelis emphasized developing a written profile and first‑year goals for the successful candidate and said Raftelis conducts targeted outreach to passive candidates. “It is the right person at the right time,” Lewis said, explaining outreach to candidates who are not actively looking.

Commissioners asked firms how they identify candidates who are not actively looking, how they vet management style and culture fit, and whether the firms assist with compensation benchmarking and contract negotiation. Several firms suggested using recorded video interviews of semifinalists to allow commissioners to review a larger pool before selecting finalists for on‑site interviews.

Votes at a glance - Motion to contract with Raftelis to conduct the city manager search: motion made and seconded in public session; commission discussion and vote were recorded but the panel later moved to consider another firm. (See official minutes for the recorded vote.) - Motion to enter into a contract with Government Professional Services to conduct the city manager recruitment: approved unanimously, 5–0.

Commissioners’ reasoning and next steps Commissioners said differences among firms were narrow and focused on style, local familiarity and price. Several members said GPS’s founders’ backgrounds as former Kansas city managers and their emphasis on candidate experience and customization were persuasive. Others praised Raftelis and SGR for strong outreach and candidate-assessment tools. Legal counsel advised the commission that deliberation about which firm to select must occur in public session and that only negotiation points for a final contract could be discussed in executive session if needed.

The commission directed staff to proceed with contract discussions and review the firm’s engagement agreement and insurance certificates. City staff will return contract documents to the commission for final approval; commissioners noted the city attorney will review any proposed engagement for legal sufficiency.

For context: Commissioners repeatedly noted that the pool of experienced municipal managers is smaller than in the past and that many candidates now seek flexible benefit and remote-work arrangements. Firms said they would cast wide nets, including passive outreach via LinkedIn and targeted networks, and would customize finalist processes to Salina’s preferences.

The commission adjourned after taking the selection vote; staff will post procurement documents and a timeline for the search once the engagement is finalized.