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Council tables city-manager recruitment; motion to delay MOSAIC contract wins 5-2
Summary
After extended debate about possible cost savings and whether to continue with a full city-manager recruit, the council voted 5-2 to table authorization of a recruitment-contract to MOSAIC until March 31 so staff can solicit feedback from interim leaders and the vendor about a delayed timeline.
The Bloomington City Council on March 3 voted 5-2 to table authorization of a recruitment contract and related spending for a permanent city manager search, directing staff to return at the March 31 meeting with options and feedback from interim staff and the vendor.
Council member D'Alessandro opened discussion by proposing a delay of the search to save near-term salary and recruiting costs and to allow time to evaluate the city’s interim model. "Given the constraints from a budgetary perspective ... my thought was that we maybe delay a search for a new city manager, thereby saving for a period of time both the salary and also the finder's fee," he said. Several council members supported delaying to get feedback from the interim assistant city managers and other senior staff about workload and operational effects.
Others argued for moving ahead with the recruitment to ensure a permanent manager is in place as the city enters a busy budget season and to avoid reputational risk. One council member said the savings would be modest and a midyear hire would have limited ability to shape the upcoming budget.
Staff and the city’s human resources representative explained procedural options: the council could table the authorization, ask staff to negotiate a delayed start with the recruiter, or reject the proposals and restart a future process. City staff recommended contacting the vendor (MOSAIC) to see whether the firm would accept a delayed timeline and whether the fee would change.
After discussion, council voted to table item 3.6 — authorization of a contract for executive search services — to the March 31 council meeting (vote: 5 in favor; 2 opposed). The clerk recorded the result as "Motion carries 5-2 with Lohman and Bussey in opposition." Staff was directed to consult the vendor about a delayed timeline and to solicit feedback from the interim managers on operational capacity and workload implications.
Ending: The item will return to the council agenda March 31 with additional information on vendor willingness to delay and input from interim city leadership; final contract action is expected only after the council reviews that information.
