Edmond council recommends Baker Tilly for city manager executive search

The Edmond City Council voted on Feb. 24, 2025, to recommend Baker Tilly Advisory Group to conduct the city manager executive search and authorized the purchasing agent to sign a finalized contract.

City HR Director Caroline Pierce told the council the city received 11 proposals and narrowed the pool to four firms based on cost, municipal experience and transparent fee structures. "We went out to bid. We did receive 11 proposals," Pierce said. She summarized differences among finalists in outreach methods, guarantees and timelines and noted Baker Tilly’s national reach and placement record.

Pierce said firms typically produce a marketing brochure, run recruitment and outreach campaigns, screen applicants and coordinate finalist interviews. She told the council that background checks and travel expenses are generally extra. Baker Tilly offered a 12-month guarantee and, Pierce said, "they have placed over 30 city managers in the last 4 years." Other finalists the HR office shortlisted included Mackenzie Eason (listed in material as a consultant currently conducting a search for the EDA), Government Professional Solutions and Reptilis; Pierce said she spoke with references for most firms and found mixed levels of responsiveness.

Council members discussed priorities for the search, including ensuring finalists are presented to the council for review and that consultants not unilaterally discard candidates. One councilmember said outreach to "passive" candidates — those not actively looking — was a positive attribute for a search firm. Pierce described the practical next step: "If I'm the point person, I would contact them and we would start getting the agreement refined. Basically, Brenda Mayer can sign off on their proposal as a purchasing agent, and then we would just start the process." The council then made and approved a motion recommending Baker Tilly and authorizing HR to finalize terms and the purchasing agent to execute the agreement.

Pierce and councilmembers noted estimated timelines lodged in proposals ranged from about 12 to 14 weeks to produce finalists, with varying guarantee lengths and additional costs for background checks and travel. The council asked HR to return the finalized contract for administrative execution; the motion explicitly authorized the purchasing agent to execute the contract once it is ready.

The search firm selection follows a directive from earlier meetings to solicit national proposals for a city manager search. The city did not publish the full vote tally in the meeting record; the motion was seconded and carried by the council.