Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hiring topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reopens public works director search after committee pick fails to gain support
Summary
Councilors voted 4-1 to restart the search for a director of public works after failing to second a hiring committee’s unanimous recommendation for Rory Walker; residents criticized the council in public comment, calling the move opaque and a waste of the committee’s time.
The International Falls City Council voted to reopen the search for a director of public works after a motion to accept the hiring committee’s unanimous recommendation failed to receive a second.
The hiring committee — consisting of Mayor Dill, Administrator Bergstrom, Deputy Public Works Director Mike Wallace and HR Director Sherry Stenland — extended a contingent offer to Rory Walker with an anticipated start date of June 16, 2026, but the council did not act on that nomination. Counselor Kaylor moved to restart the hiring process and Counselor Holden seconded; the motion to reopen passed 4-1.
Administrator Bergstrom told the council the committee spent “at least 20 hours” vetting applicants and that two candidates were interviewed after one withdrew; the committee’s recommendation was unanimous. During council discussion, members cited concerns about cost and whether the job qualifications needed adjustment to attract more applicants.
Members of the public spoke during the meeting’s later open forum. Resident Bobby Bernath asked, “Why have a hiring committee if the council's not going to take a recommendation?” and said he was unsure what had happened. Lois Lundine, who said the hiring committee “was a strong set of qualified people,” argued the council set aside a qualified candidate without explaining the reasons while the candidate was present.
Council members responded that a committee recommendation does not automatically bind the council. One councilor said: “Just because it went through a committee, yeah, it's nice that they give a recommendation, but that doesn't mean it's going to pass.”
The council discussed options for restarting the search, including lowering some qualification requirements (one councilor suggested removing a civil engineering license requirement) and balancing pay to attract candidates. At least one member said cost was the primary concern prompting the decision not to appoint the committee’s nominee.
Next steps: the council directed staff to restart the hiring process and consider changes to the posted qualifications; the timeline for reopening the vacancy was not specified in the meeting record.
