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Council briefed on city‑administrator search; members press for open process and residency clarity
Summary
Council was told an internal posting produced a single qualified internal applicant (Assistant City Administrator Kevin Iffland), search‑firm proposals have been solicited, and staff plans a small‑group firm selection with interviews of candidates by each council member; several council members asked for transparency, a job‑description review and confirmation of residency expectations.
City staff updated the council on the city‑administrator recruitment process on April 20, reporting that an internal posting for an interim/permanent appointment produced one qualified internal applicant (Assistant City Administrator Kevin Iffland). Human Resources reached out to six executive search firms and received materials from three; staff proposed forming a small group of council members to review search‑firm proposals and select a firm to run the broader permanent search.
Staff said the intent is to begin the permanent search within roughly 30 days, have council members individually speak with the selected search firm about desired candidate attributes, and aim for a permanent appointment by the fall.
Several council members objected to proceeding without fuller council engagement. Council Member Bill Kennedy expressed concern about department heads (including the city administrator) who do not live within Billings and urged that residency expectations be clarified. Other members asked that the council review and, if desired, revise the city‑administrator job description ahead of a national search. Staff noted that if an internal appointment is made to acting city administrator, it could create a secondary vacancy in assistant city‑administrator duties that would need to be filled temporarily.
Next steps: staff will continue discussions with the potential interim appointee, circulate search‑firm packets to council small‑group reviewers and schedule council engagement on the job description and compensation for any interim appointment.
