Bliss Jamieson named chair of Edgewater city manager search committee; recruiter outlines timeline

Bliss Jamieson was appointed chair of the Edgewater City Manager Search Committee on Feb. 25, 2025, and Donna McDavid was elected vice chair, the committee confirmed in unanimous votes. The group received a detailed recruitment timeline from consultant Kevin Knudson of Strategic Government Resources.

The appointments took place during the committee’s organizational meeting, which Chair-led procedural steps opened with an oath and a roll call of members. John Ward nominated Jamieson for chair and Caleb Beshara seconded; the committee recorded unanimous assent. Following that, the committee moved and seconded a nomination to make McDavid vice chair, which also passed unanimously.

Knudson, who identified himself as a senior vice president with Strategic Government Resources, walked members through the planned search process and schedule. He said the position was posted Feb. 12 and that the firm had received about "24 applicants, about 20% of which seem very well qualified." He described a staged review process: applications close and initial review begins March 16; the committee will meet the week of March 24 to select semifinalists; materials and online interview clips will be delivered to the committee the week of April 9; finalists will be selected the week of April 16; and in-person interviews and public meetings are expected in early May, with a conditional offer and a start date within roughly 30 days of hire if the timeline holds.

Knudson said the firm will perform progressively deeper background and media checks as candidates advance: a general online media review for the initial pool, a more intensive stage-1 media search for semifinalists, and full criminal and financial background checks for finalists. He also said semifinalist materials will include resumes, short online interview videos, and a questionnaire tailored to Edgewater’s priorities. For finalists, the firm plans to provide DISC assessments and a one-year plan describing each candidate’s intended first-year goals.

Committee members pressed for local specificity. Caleb Beshara said Edgewater needs someone with experience addressing flooding, economic development and local politics; Knudson said those topics will be emphasized in the questionnaire and during interviews so members can screen for relevant experience. Members also asked about relocation and compensation; Knudson said relocation is common and estimated packages "anywhere between a low of about $5,000 to $7,000 to a high of about $20,000," to be negotiated in an offer.

On process logistics, Knudson proposed meeting the week of March 24 (the committee discussed Wednesday, March 26) for the semifinalist review and tentatively set an April meeting the week of April 14 to consider finalists. He offered to circulate a draft candidate questionnaire in advance and to work with City Clerk Bonnie Slotnick to collect committee feedback.

The committee adjourned after confirming meeting dates and the leadership appointments. Members will reconvene in late March to begin the semifinalist review as the recruiter continues outreach and vetting.