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West Bend council approves up to $25,000 to hire executive search firm for city administrator replacement
Summary
The common council voted 7–1 to authorize a services contract, not to exceed $25,000 after attorney review, with MGT to conduct the search for a new city administrator; council members discussed timeline, prior use of the firm and potential extra travel costs for out-of-area finalists.
The West Bend Common Council directed staff to engage MGT (formerly GovHR) to lead the search for a new city administrator, approving a services contract not to exceed $25,000 after attorney review.
Council members said the firm will assemble a candidate profile, run recruitment and screening, and present finalists to the council. Mayor Joel Longert and multiple aldermen noted the city used MGT when it hired the current administrator eight years ago and cited Oshkosh and other Wisconsin cities as local examples where the firm was used.
Discussion focused on timing and cost. Council members and staff said a typical timeline to identify finalists is about two months but can extend if the council wants additional meetings or if a chosen candidate needs to give lengthy notice to a current employer. MGT’s $25,000 fee includes marketing and printing line items (approximately $4,000 in the budget) but does not cover travel costs if the city wants to fly in out-of-area finalists or pay overnight lodging. Staff said some travel-related expenses would be billed separately if incurred.
Alderman Allen moved to proceed with the contract; the motion carried 7–1. The motion as approved directed staff to finalize a services contract with MGT not to exceed $25,000, subject to attorney review. The council recorded one no vote on the final motion.
The council also discussed the option of issuing an RFP to solicit competitive proposals; several aldermen said few firms operate in the executive-search niche for municipal administrators, naming MGT and one other Wisconsin firm as the typical options. Members who supported hiring MGT said the firm’s experience and prior work for West Bend reduced administrative burden and likely shortens the search timeline.
Next steps are to finalize and sign the contract and for the firm to begin community outreach, department interviews and candidate recruitment. The council indicated it could hold special meetings to speed internal review of candidate lists if needed.
