Council tentatively moves forward with city manager search

The search for a new Sidney city manager took a small step forward this week.

Councilors voted to allow the mayor, human resources director and interim city manager to interview representatives from a recruitment firm that submitted a proposal to assist in the search.

J.D. Gray Group – from Texas – was the only firm to respond to the city’s request for proposals by last week’s deadline.

Jo Houser, the city’s human resources director, said the request for an executive search firm was advertised and she contacted seven firms directly. She had hoped for a larger response, she said, but was told by multiple companies they couldn’t submit proposals because of their current workloads.

Councilor Wendall Gaston added he was told there are numerous openings for city managers throughout the Midwest.

A full-service national recruitment for a city manager through J.D. Gray will cost $27,500 and take approximately 18 weeks, according to the firm’s proposal.

Mayor Mark Nienhueser said he reviewed the proposal and his only concern was the time frame.

“But in their process, they’re very thorough,” he said. “They do it right and do it right the first time.”

If other councilors concurred, he asked for authorization – along with Houser and Anthony – to negotiate the price and time period with the company, he said.

Councilor Joe Arterbun asked what other options the council had.

“Do it ourselves or put it out for bid again,” the mayor responded.

Houser said both ways, she could see pros and cons.

“Using the search firm, I think they would look at the qualifications different, maybe, than we might,” she added.

Councilor Roger Gallaway said he wished more search firms had submitted proposals.

“I’m a little uncomfortable only having one,” he said. “I think we need a search firm, but I’d like to have something to compare it to.”

Gaston said he’d like the entire council to be involved in the final decision of whether or not to hire the firm.

Councilors unanimously passed a motion allowing Nienhueser, Houser and Anthony to interview representatives from J.D. Gray and then return to the city council with a recommendation.

According to the firm’s proposal, the search process would entail five stages.

Stakeholders would be consulted to identify the community’s needs, national recruitment efforts would be undertaken and prospective candidates would be screened. Semi-finalists and then finalists would subsequently be identified.

A minimum of four candidates would ultimately be presented to the city council, the proposal states.