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Charlotte council hires search firm, forms interim committee to find permanent city manager
Summary
The City of Charlotte council unanimously approved issuing an RFP to hire a professional search firm for a permanent city manager and created an interim selection committee of the mayor, a council member, the current city manager and department heads to provide recommendations to the full council.
The City of Charlotte council voted unanimously on Jan. 5 to hire a professional search firm to run the search for a permanent city manager and approved formation of an interim selection committee to guide the process.
The committee that reviewed options — consisting of Council Member Rodriguez, Council Member Scott and Council Member Christensen — recommended issuing a request for proposals to engage a search firm. "One misstep can really ultimately cost us a lot," Council Member Christensen said, describing legal and liability risks that led him to change course and support an outside firm. The motion to hire a professional firm, moved by Christensen and supported by Scott, carried 7-0.
Richard Deer, a Charlotte resident who spoke during public comment, urged councilors to treat the outgoing city manager Rob's written recommendations seriously, saying the document was "the closest thing we're going to have to an exit interview." Don Sovey asked the council to develop or review a job description with Rob's input, and Jodee Pruden urged department heads to submit input in writing so differing views would be captured.
Mayor Fullerton said quotes from search firms will be obtained according to the city's purchasing manual and that the current city manager will handle that process. The mayor also said appointing an interim manager would give council time to conduct a thorough search for a permanent hire. Council Member Chin added that search firms often know managers who are available for interim positions and recommended soliciting department-head input on desired qualifications.
The council also approved Mayor Fullerton's recommendation to form an interim city manager selection committee composed of the mayor, Council Member Brummette, the current city manager and all city department heads; the committee will make recommendations to the full council and will not have hiring authority. That motion, moved by Brummette and supported by Scott, carried 7-0.
Next steps: the council directed staff to follow the city's purchasing manual to obtain quotes and issue an RFP. The council adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
