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Council hears update on finance director search; members want incoming city administrator involved in hiring
Summary
Staff said the finance director recruitment is open with targeted early‑December interviews; several council members urged that the incoming city administrator be included in the final selection or at least be involved with finalist interviews.
City administrator (name not specified) told the council the recruitment to replace Finance Director Joni Baxter is underway, with staff targeting interviews the week of Dec. 8 and aiming for a council decision close to the first week of January.
The administrator said department heads with the city administrator would largely form the decision team and that, if a candidate is not found in this round, the search would continue with input from the next city administrator. “Largely, the team that would be making the decision on the department head is the team of department heads with the city administrator,” the administrator said.
Several alderpersons asked for greater involvement by the incoming city administrator. Ald. Moss and Ald. McIntyre said the new administrator should, if possible, participate in final interviews or have a substantive role in selecting the finance director so the incoming leadership can help assemble its team. Ald. Blende and others raised the need for documented staffing depth to support transitions and noted timing concerns because of budget season beginning early in the year.
Council did not change the recruitment schedule but directed staff to consider including the new city administrator in late‑stage interviews if timing allows. If the administrator hire extends past the targeted dates, councilors said staff should ensure strong candidate documentation and review processes so a qualified finance director can be selected without undue disruption.
