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Escanaba council hires recruiter for city manager search and appoints Melissa Bacot as interim
Summary
Council authorized an executive recruiter (approx. $14,950), authorized optional public‑safety background checks, and appointed longtime staffer Melissa Bacot as interim city manager with the compensation she requested (stipend for interim duties and onboarding).
The Escanaba City Council on May 7 agreed to hire an executive search firm to manage recruitment for a permanent city manager and appointed Melissa Bacot as interim city manager.
Councilmembers reviewed proposals from search firms and discussed cost. One firm was quoted at about $14,950; council also noted that the public‑safety department could conduct candidate background checks for an estimated $550 as an internal option. "If we save it in public safety wants to do the backgrounds, then save ourselves $550," a councilmember said during the discussion.
Councilmembers moved to authorize the recruitment contract and to allocate funds for it. The council also approved Melissa Bacot’s request for interim compensation: a monthly stipend for the interim duties and an additional stipend to assist with onboarding once a new manager is selected. Members emphasized that Bacot’s institutional knowledge made the appointment a practical short‑term solution.
The council discussed timeline considerations and the search‑firm track record with similar communities. City management and council directed staff to proceed with the procurement and background‑check arrangements and to report back on the search timeline and next steps.
The appointment takes effect immediately; the council voted in favor by roll call.
