Mesa council opts to pursue internal recruitment for next city manager
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Summary
After a staff presentation on recruitment approaches, Mesa council members expressed consensus to start an internal search, post an internal application for one week and schedule council interviews with a public input opportunity before a final selection.
Mesa City Council discussed options for hiring the next city manager during a Feb. 13 study session and directed staff to begin an internal recruitment process.
City Manager Chris Brady and Human Resources staff presented three approaches used previously by Mesa: national executive searches run by outside consultants, HR-led executive recruitments, and internal-only recruitments. Brady and HR staff said each method has advantages; national searches tap a broader pool, HR-led searches rely on internal staffing resources, and internal searches can preserve continuity when strong internal candidates exist.
Council members responded largely in favor of an internal recruitment. “I would like to see an internal recruitment,” Councilmember Duff said, arguing that an internal candidate would provide “continuity, stability, and the leadership of our city.” Councilmember Heredia, Vice Mayor Summers, Councilmember Pillsbury, Councilmember Goforth and Councilmember Adams also voiced support for starting internally, citing cost, stability and existing strong candidates. Vice Mayor Summers urged steps to make the process public-facing so residents can understand and weigh in on the selection.
Under the direction given at the session, staff will post a formal internal application for roughly one week, with applications closing at 5 p.m. on the deadline set by staff; Human Resources will forward applicant materials to council and schedule interviews. Council discussed holding a moderated public meeting(s) or meet-and-greets so community members can ask questions before the council makes a final decision. Council did not formalize a motion with a recorded roll-call vote at the study session; members expressed consensus to proceed with the internal process and to consider a public input step prior to final action.
Why it matters: The city manager is the council-appointed chief executive responsible for day-to-day city operations and for implementing council policy. Councilmembers said stability in leadership is especially important amid political and budgetary challenges and because public safety comprises a significant portion of the city budget.
Next steps: Human Resources will post the internal recruitment, collect applications, deliver candidate materials to the council and coordinate interviews. Council indicated it expects to meet privately with candidate(s) first and then hold a moderated public forum before making a final appointment. No final appointment was made at the Feb. 13 study session.
