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Council hears two executive‑search firms, schedules special meeting to finish city manager search
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Summary
After presentations by the Mercer Group and Baker Tilly, the Paris City Council agreed to schedule a special meeting (Sept. 30) to hear three remaining firms and to preserve marketing opportunities at upcoming TML and ICMA conferences.
The Paris City Council heard presentations from two executive search firms on Sept. 23 as part of its city manager recruitment process and directed staff to arrange a special meeting to hear three additional firms before October conferences.
Priscilla Wilson of the Mercer Group described a comprehensive recruitment process tailored to Paris, saying the firm typically identifies 6–8 top candidates after targeted advertising, background checks and interviews and described a 70–100 day schedule. Wilson said the Mercer Group provides an 18‑month placement guarantee and would present a recruitment brochure and advertising plan tailored to the council’s priorities.
Chuck Rohrer of Baker Tilly described a five‑step process focused on building a recruitment profile, broad outreach and screening tools (including recorded‑video responses and management‑style analysis). Rohrer recommended engaging a search firm promptly to take advantage of two upcoming conferences — the Texas Municipal League (TML) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) — that offer strong candidate‑recruiting opportunities.
Council members said they wanted to hear presentations from the three remaining firms (Chris Hartung Consulting, Slaven Management, Ralph Anderson) before making a selection; they agreed to try to convene a special meeting on Sept. 30 and to proceed if firms were available. No contract was awarded at the Sept. 23 meeting.
What was said (selection): Priscilla Wilson (Mercer Group) said the firm could “identify and actively recruit high quality candidates” and aimed to deliver top finalists for council review. Chuck Rohrer (Baker Tilly) warned that deferring a decision past mid‑October could forfeit marketing opportunities at TML and ICMA and urged prompt action. Council members stated a preference to expedite the process but wanted to hear all proposals before committing.
Next steps: Staff will contact the remaining firms to schedule additional presentations; the council tentatively set a special meeting for Sept. 30 to continue the selection process. If a firm is engaged, the earliest projected placement discussed by the Mercer Group was Jan. 1, 2020.
