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Lynn Haven commission agrees to re-advertise city manager search, reshuffle screening team
Summary
Facing a small candidate pool, the commission voted to re-advertise the city manager position for 45 days, send rejection letters to applicants who did not meet minimum qualifications, and reform the 'Tiger team' that screens candidates to include more experienced department heads.
The Lynn Haven City Commission decided Nov. 12 to re-advertise the city manager vacancy after commissioners reviewed roughly 39 applications and determined only eight met minimum qualifications.
Several commissioners said the applicant pool was thin or contained candidates they considered unsuitable and urged re-advertising to attract a broader, more experienced field. Commissioner Wark and others recommended changing the screening ('Tiger team') membership to add longer-tenured department heads so that a wider range of perspectives evaluates candidates.
Staff and HR said the commission could re-advertise for a 45-day period and that applicants who did not meet minimum qualifications could be sent a courteously worded rejection letter while remaining free to reapply. The commission agreed on a 45-day re-advertising period and discussed whether unanimous commissioner confirmation would be required to remove a candidate from the qualified list; staff described a process for HR to coordinate with commissioners.
Commissioners also discussed interview formats to reduce leaks of questions to candidates, suggested scenario-based presentations for finalists and recommended background checks before final selections. The commission’s direction was procedural (re-advertise and refine screening); staff will take the steps described and return with updated candidate lists and timelines.
