Council selects search firms for three executive searches; finance and community‑services searches unanimous, city‑manager firm chosen over objections

The Elgin City Council on Feb. 18 directed staff to engage executive-search firms for three key municipal positions: the city manager search firm chosen was SGR (motion carried after roll‑call), AFION was approved to lead the finance‑director search, and SGR was approved for the community‑services‑director search.

Council Member Swain moved to select SGR for the city‑manager search; Council Member Love seconded. During the roll call, several members recorded yes votes while two council members registered no votes; the motion carried. For the finance director, staff recommended AFION based on recent finance searches the firm performed for nearby communities; Council approved AFION unanimously. For the community‑services director recruitment, council approved SGR unanimously after staff recommended that firm for that position.

City staff told council they had begun reference checks and had received positive feedback for SGR and AFION from other Texas cities. Staff also noted Appian/Baker Tilly materials were reviewed but that the city had less direct reference contact for that firm at the time of the meeting. Council asked staff to finish reference checks before final contracting on any engagement and allowed staff to coordinate schedules and scopes.

Ending: Council members asked staff to keep the search process on schedule, and staff said they would help coordinate interviews and candidate timelines once firms are under contract.