Montpelier council approves city-manager search RFP and forms three-member review subcommittee

The Montpelier City Council approved a request-for-proposals to hire a professional recruiter for the city manager search and established a three-member council subcommittee to evaluate incoming proposals.

Councilor Ben moved to approve the RFP; councilors voted in favor. Several councilors said hiring a professional search firm would bring experience, broaden the candidate pool and structure public engagement in the recruitment, including stakeholder interviews, needs assessment and job-profile development.

Councilors discussed subcommittee membership and agreed a small group should perform a first review of proposals with Human Resources Director Tanya. Councilor Ben moved and the council approved creation of a three-member subcommittee; Councilors Ben, Pelin and Carrie volunteered and were appointed to the panel. The subcommittee will work with HR to evaluate responses, conduct interviews of finalists if necessary, and recommend a consultant to the full council; the full council will retain final hiring decisions.

Councilors emphasized that the consultant’s work should involve public engagement and repeated council involvement at key stages, including drafting a candidate profile, shaping outreach and advising on interview structure. The council did not select a consultant at the meeting; RFP responses will be reviewed by the subcommittee when they arrive.