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Council considers hybrid approach for city administrator search to cut costs, some members warn of conflict risk
Summary
Staff presented two executive-recruitment proposals and proposed a hybrid approach that pairs a recruitment firm with city HR and the new communications hire; some alderpersons supported cost savings while others warned hybrid involvement could create accountability or bias problems if staff report to an internal interim administrator.
Joanie Baxter told the Committee of the Whole the city requested proposals from two executive recruitment firms: MGT (GovHR) and ART Municipal Support. ART's proposal includes advertising and was described as lower cost. Staff proposed a hybrid approach that would retain consultant interviewing and candidate vetting while leveraging city HR and the newly hired communications staff to reduce cost.
"We kind of came up with is kind of to look at a hybrid approach," Joanie said, describing a plan to use consultant expertise while involving internal HR and communications to keep costs down. She said ART indicated willingness to collaborate and will provide a more detailed proposal.
Several alderpersons said they favored cost savings and a collaborative model if duties and accountability are clearly defined. Alder person Martin and Alder person Johnson voiced support for the hybrid approach to reduce expense. At least one alderperson said they preferred a single external vendor because they worried staff involvement could create unclear accountability and a perception of bias, particularly if the interim city administrator becomes a candidate.
The council asked staff to return next week with the consultant's collaborative proposal and clarified roles before voting.
Next steps: ART is preparing a collaborative proposal to be provided to council for review prior to formal approval.
