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City begins external recruitment for community development director; council discusses interview participation and budget
Summary
The city contracted Innovative Public Advisors to lead recruitment for the community development director vacancy; staff said the firm's profile and advertising are underway, interviews will include directors and key staff, and the estimated recruitment cost is about $9,000 to be covered from HR contingency funding.
The Fond du Lac City Council heard an update Oct. 22, 2025, on the recruitment for a new community development director after the incumbent notified the city of departure. The city has contracted Innovative Public Advisors to assist with outreach and candidate review.
City Attorney and Director of Human Resources Ms. Hoffman said the firm's recruitment materials and candidate profile have been completed and postings are live. The recruitment process will include review by the consultant, candidate interviews with department directors and key staff, and subsequent internal steps led by the hiring official. Ms. Hoffman said this follows the city's standard practice for department-head positions and that council members are not typically part of the interview panel for a department head; statutory appointments such as police or fire chief follow different procedures.
Councilmember Miss Leering asked which city leaders and staff would be involved in interviewing; Ms. Hoffman said all directors are planned to participate. Miss Leering also asked whether the budget should include contingencies for unplanned recruitments in the future; staff said HR maintains an account to cover typical recruiting expenses and that this engagement is expected to cost about $9,000, which staff described as typical for an external recruitment and affordable within existing contingency funds.
Councilmember Zimmerman asked whether council would be involved; staff replied that the hiring official (city attorney/HR director) will manage the process and that council involvement is not typical for department-head recruitments. Councilmembers also asked about related open positions (principal planner and chief building inspector); staff said the chief building inspector recruitment was no longer active because the inspector decided to stay, and recruitment for a planner could be completed in the coming weeks.
No council vote was required; staff said they would continue with the external recruitment and report back as candidates are screened and interviews scheduled.
