Algonac council approves recruitment plan for new city manager after debate on Zoom interviews and search options

The Algonac City Council on Oct. 7 approved a structured recruitment and selection process for a new city manager that lays out application deadlines, a vetting panel, preliminary Zoom interviews with a scoring matrix, background and reference checks, public interviews, closed sessions for selection and contract negotiations, and an appointment timeline leading into December and January.

City manager Denise Gersonenberg and council members described an 11‑step plan that begins with a clerk review of applications (to screen out incomplete materials) and includes a vetting panel composed of the mayor, mayor pro tem, city clerk, fire chief and the treasurer. The plan calls for preliminary interviews by Zoom, use of a standardized interview matrix, then public interviews and potential second‑round interviews for finalists.

Council members questioned the use of Zoom for preliminary interviews, whether those interviews should be recorded for the full council to review, and confidentiality for candidates who currently hold jobs. "You don't want to record the initial committee interviews because it takes away their independence," one council member said, arguing that preliminary panels should be able to whittle candidates down without the full council second‑guessing.

The council discussed cost and decided not to hire an executive search firm because of expense; instead, staff will post the position through the Michigan Municipal League and other channels. A tentative timeline in the packet set Nov. 5 as the application due date with candidate selection and interviews through December and a possible appointment in mid‑December and contract presentation in January.

After discussion the council voted to adopt the proposed process. Council directed staff to post the position and proceed with the schedule while retaining flexibility if the applicant pool requires additional outreach or adjustments.