Council approves collaborative city administrator recruitment after debate over accountability

The Washington City Council voted 5–2 to approve a collaborative approach to recruit a new city administrator, choosing a $19,500 hybrid option that combines consultant services with staff support instead of the full-service $23,500 consultant-only plan.

Council heard a short presentation from Joni Baxter, who summarized two proposals from executive recruiter Jim Arndt: a full-service option that places most recruitment responsibilities with the consultant and a lower-cost collaborative option that would have city staff — including HR manager Maureen Chambers and communications specialist Amanda Roberts — handle some outreach and promotional work.

“A lot of this work lands on staff on day one,” Alderperson Moss said, arguing the hybrid option reduces the council’s ability to hold an outside vendor fully accountable. “When we engage a consultant, divvying out those responsibilities … lessens the accountability that we have to hold that vendor to.”

Alderperson Blundy echoed concerns about perception and potential bias if staff performed parts of candidate vetting and marketing. “We may unintentionally put some bias into the process,” Blundy said, and questioned whether the $4,000 saving justified that risk.

Supporters of the collaborative model said the hybrid approach leverages internal expertise and reduces cost. “I’m definitely for this,” Alderperson Martin said, adding that staff involvement would be expected and appropriate. City staff told the council that sufficient funds exist in the general fund for either option.

The motion to adopt the collaborative option passed 5–2; the two dissenting votes were Alderpersons Moss and Blundy. The council did not amend the proposal at the meeting; the procurement and contract steps required for the recruitment will follow the city’s standard purchasing process.