Longview City council directs staff to prepare employment contract for Jennifer Wills

Longview City — The Longview City Council on Jan. 2, 2025 voted to direct staff to negotiate and prepare an employment contract for Jennifer Wills for the city manager position, with council members instructing the HR director and interim city attorney to return a negotiated agreement for consideration at a future open meeting. The motion passed after public comment and council discussion.

Council member Halverson, who said the choice had been difficult, urged the council to slow the process and review search procedures before finalizing a hire. “This has been one of the hardest decisions I've faced during my time on council,” Halverson said, saying he respected Wills’s capabilities but had concerns about the search process and the scope of candidates provided by the search firm.

The motion directed staff to negotiate a contract for council approval; council voted vocally in favor and the mayor announced the motion carried. The transcript records multiple “aye” responses and one opposition; the…