Firm approved for Sidney city manager search

The search is on for a new Sidney city manager.

On Tuesday, city councilors approved a proposal from Texas-based J.D. Gray Group, an executive recruitment firm, to help lead the search.

At a cost of $27,500, J.D. Gray will consult with stakeholders to determine what qualities are desired in a new city manager, conduct a national recruitment effort and screen perspective candidates.

According to the agreement, the firm will present a minimum of four individuals to the city council – which will make a final hiring decision.

Mayor Mark Nienhueser said the process would take 16-18 weeks – until mid-February.

J.D. Gray was the only company to submit a proposal to the city. Earlier this month, councilors delayed approving the agreement until the mayor and city officials could interview the firm.

Nienhueser said he, interim City Manager Geri Anthony and Human Resources Director Jo Houser held a conference call last week with the company.

After reviewing the search process, he said he is confident in the firm’s abilities.

Anthony and Houser said J.D. Gray would provide a comprehensive search.

“They do everything,” Houser said. “They provide us with a short list and then help us with that process also.”

Councilor Wendall Gaston – who cast the only no vote to the proposal – said he was concerned about the price and that J.D. Gray was based in another state.

Nienhueser said if the city were to solicit proposals again, it would delay the search process.

“I would urge us to approve it so we can get going on it,” he said.

Councilor Joe Arterburn made a motion to approve the proposal from J.D. Gray and Councilor Roger Gallaway seconded.

The motion passed 3-1 – Councilor Chris Gay was absent from the meeting.

Also at the meeting:

• Councilors voted to change the signage in front of Fox Theatre from a fire zone to allow parking during non-theater hours. At the previous council meeting, the theater’s owners had requested the change, saying the area was not officially designated as a fire zone. The change will allow two additional parking spaces along Illinois Street.

Anthony told the council she had contacted Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Keith Stone, who in turn spoke with a state fire marshal. They determined there is no state statue requiring a fire zone in front of a theater.

• An ordinance extending the monthly water debt assessment charged to Sidney utility customers until 2048 was read for the first time. The $15 fee, used to pay debts incurred during a 2004 major water project, was set to expire in 2022. However, according to the proposed ordinance, once the 2004 debt is paid, the fee will be reduced to $10 month until a new loan for upcoming water projects is paid. The ordinance has two more readings.

• Anthony said budget reports for September – the final month of the fiscal year – showed revenue from property and sales taxes was higher than expected.

For the year, only two departments were over budget – the library and fire department – and only slightly, she said.

“I thought that was a good sign that department heads stayed good to the numbers,” Anthony added.

• Ben Dayton, building and zoning administrator, said the Pole Creek Crossing bridge was nearly complete and decking on the Fort Sidney Bridge is scheduled to be finished within three weeks.

• The next Sidney city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7:15 p.m. in the city council room at Sidney City Hall.