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Ennis commission hires Baker Tilly to lead city manager search; approves airport grant, nominates appraisal-board candidate
Summary
On Oct. 1, 2024 the Ennis City Commission unanimously retained Baker Tilly to conduct the search for a new city manager and authorized the mayor to negotiate an executive recruiting agreement; the body also approved an airport weather-system grant and nominated Walter Erwin to the Ellis Appraisal District Board.
Ennis — The Ennis City Commission voted unanimously Oct. 1 to retain the consulting firm Baker Tilly to assist in and conduct the search for a new city manager and authorized the mayor to negotiate and execute an agreement for executive recruiting services.
The action, moved by Commissioner Haney and seconded by Commissioner Jones, followed an executive session on the hiring process. Commissioner Haney made the motion on the record: "I make a motion that the city commission retain Baker Tilly to assist and conduct the search for a city manager and to authorize the mayor to negotiate and execute an agreement for executive recruiting services." A voice vote adopted the motion.
Why it matters: selecting a national recruitment firm signals the city is initiating a formal, externally supported search for a chief executive officer. The commission took the step after private deliberations in executive session and without additional public discussion on the motion.
The meeting also disposed of two other items by voice vote. On the consent agenda commissioners approved a grant agreement for the airport automated weather observing system (item D1). Commissioner Haney moved to approve the consent agenda; Commissioner Watson seconded; the motion carried. Separately, the commission approved a resolution nominating Walter Erwin as the city's candidate for the Ellis Appraisal District Board of Directors for 2025. Mayor Pro Tem Isbell moved the nomination and Commissioner Haney seconded; that motion also passed by voice vote. Mayor Cameron Rayburn noted that the city of Ennis does not hold enough weighted votes alone to appoint a director and typically combines votes with other taxing entities.
Quotes and context: Mayor Rayburn announced the items following the executive session and closed the meeting after the Baker Tilly vote. "At this time, I will entertain a motion on item G1," he said before the motion; the commission then approved the mayor's authority to negotiate the engagement.
Votes at a glance: - D1 — Approval of grant agreement for the airport automated weather observing system: Mover — Commissioner Haney; Second — Commissioner Watson; Outcome — Adopted by voice vote. - E1 — Resolution nominating Walter Erwin to the Ellis Appraisal District Board of Directors (2025): Mover — Mayor Pro Tem Isbell; Second — Commissioner Haney; Outcome — Adopted by voice vote. - G1 — Retain Baker Tilly for city manager search and authorize the mayor to execute an executive recruiting agreement: Mover — Commissioner Haney; Second — Commissioner Jones; Outcome — Adopted by voice vote.
What’s next: The commission authorized the mayor to negotiate the recruiting services agreement; no timeline or contract amount was stated on the record. The meeting adjourned at 9:39 p.m.
