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Council authorizes contract negotiations with finalist for city manager after 5‑2 vote
Summary
Following a lengthy workshop, the council voted 5–2 to authorize staff and the consultant to enter contract negotiations with finalist Dennis Marstall for city manager; two members recorded Nay votes and councilmembers aired concerns about the search process.
The Wichita City Council voted to authorize staff, the consultant and the city attorney to enter contract negotiations with a finalist for the city manager position.
Mayor and councilmembers moved and seconded the procedural motion allowing a 20‑minute executive session to receive legal advice and then conduct contract negotiations. Later in the meeting, staff presented the selection committee’s recommendation and the council voted to permit negotiations with finalist Dennis Marstall. The roll call recorded Council member Johnson voting Nay, Council member Hoheisel voting Nay, and five members voting Aye; the motion carried 5–2.
Several councilmembers thanked the selection committee for screening 89 applications and narrowing to finalists. Some members voiced reservations about the process. One councilmember said concerns about undue influence and scoring irregularities had grown and urged halting and reissuing the search; another praised the candidates and urged moving forward. The council’s motion authorizes negotiators to begin talks but does not finalize a contract; any agreement will return to the council for ratification consistent with city personnel rules.
