Personnel committee plans meet-and-greet for city manager finalists, seeks $50,000 recruitment budget

The Charles Town Personnel Committee discussed plans for the city manager search and agreed to a two-stage process that would narrow applications to 3–5 finalists and bring them to the city for in-person meetings. Staff member said the recruitment ad was sent to the Spirit last Friday and that it would appear online Wednesday and in print Thursday; the posting also appeared on sites including Indeed and career.com, producing about 10 applications so far. "We're asking for a budget allowance," the staff member said when the committee discussed the funding request, and members confirmed the ask would be a not-to-exceed $50,000 to cover recruiter fees, travel and in-person interview costs.

Committee members stressed the value of meeting finalists in person before making a hiring recommendation to council. One committee member said the plan is to let the headhunter narrow the field and then invite finalists for a day of interviews and informal meet-and-greets with council: "We should probably get to know who they are," the member said. The committee agreed to include the recruitment cost request in the FY26 capital budget submission and to respond to applicants with a note that the search would be officially posted and that recruiting firms can submit proposals.