Commission selects Collin Basinger & Associates to recruit new city auditor; vote split

The Daytona Beach City Commission on Jan. 22 selected Collin Basinger & Associates to provide executive recruitment services for the city auditor position at a cost not to exceed $33,500.

Jim Sexton, the city’s human resources director, outlined two proposals received: one from Slaven Management Consultants (historically used by the city) with a not-to-exceed total near $24,994 (including an expenses cap that could raise the not-to‑exceed figure) and a second from Collin Basinger & Associates at a flat fee of $33,500 after negotiations. Sexton summarized past uses of both firms, noted a prior city manager search that used Slaven, and observed that other municipalities have used consultants to fill similar auditor posts when in-house recruitment produced few qualified candidates.

Commissioners discussed the merits of each consultant. Some commissioners expressed a preference for using a local or lower-cost firm; others supported the consultant with the broader or more current outreach that staff and the communications office helped refine with a professional brochure.

After discussion Commissioner Reed moved to select Collin Basinger & Associates; roll-call votes recorded on the transcript show Commissioner Perez voting yes, Commissioner Strickland no, Commissioner May yes, Commissioner Cantu yes, Commissioner Henry yes, Mayor Derek L. Henry no, and the motion was recorded as passing. The motion authorizes the city manager and city clerk to execute contract documents for recruitment services at the agreed price not to exceed $33,500.

Staff said the selected consultant would handle the recruitment brochure, candidate outreach, background checks and screening and would present finalists to the commission for interviews.