Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
SEDC reports 86 applicants for economic development director; panel interviews planned for spring
Summary
Human Resources reported 86 applicants for the city’s economic development director position and outlined a multi‑stage screening and interview plan. The board discussed panel composition, conflict‑of‑interest disclosure for outside experts and a target timeline for interviews and hiring.
Staff reported that the economic development director position was posted Feb. 25 and that, as of the meeting, the city had received 86 applications. The HR representative said the hiring team has been slow to receive highly qualified applicants but that recent submissions better matched the board’s stated priorities — especially redevelopment experience and the ability to attract businesses.
HR proposed narrowing candidates to a top six for panel interviews. The recommended panel would include two SEDC board members, one council member (selected by the mayor), a subject‑matter expert (an executive director or comparable EDC professional from another jurisdiction), and the director of public works because of the close working relationship between public works and the economic development function. After the panel interviews, HR recommended narrowing to two finalists for a joint meeting with council and SEDC, with the mayor having final authority to extend an offer.
Board members raised a conflict‑of‑interest and disclosure issue for outside experts: the board asked that staff check whether any proposed external subject‑matter expert has close ties to candidates and, if so, that the panel disclose the relationship before the expert gives an opinion.
HR placed a tentative schedule on the table: panel interviews in May, a possible offer in mid‑June, and a typical 30‑day notice period for an external hire. The board agreed to include two SEDC board members on the interview panel and to ensure coordination with council for finalist interviews.
