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firm has also placed candidates with utility and transportation companies, <br />League of Cities, and ICMA. They guarantee every search for one year <br />and have never had to replace a candidate within that first year. Robert <br />Neher estimates the overall retention rate for their placements is about <br />4 - 4 ½ years. Some of the things that affect turnover at the City Manager <br /> <br />level are changes in Council and policy direction. <br /> <br />3. How will you work with the people at the City to make this hire? <br /> <br />It depends on how Council wants to structure the search. Typically, <br />Bennett Yarger prefers to meet with Council members individually, and <br />then as a group, and then to meet with key department heads and any <br />other Council-designated stakeholders. The goals during those meetings <br />would be to listen and focus on specific strategies, issues, and projects <br />that this position will need to be able to accomplish. Their research will <br />also include reviewing documents, budgets, finances, organizational <br />charts, etc. for the City and gathering input on the previous individual in <br />this role and any shifts and changes in Council goals and objectives. <br /> <br />Strategies to keep the Council informed of the search would include <br />face- to-face meetings to start the search with verbal reports back on a <br />weekly basis and more detailed written reports back every other week. <br />The progress reports will give them a chance to keep Council updated on <br />the search as the field of candidates is narrowed. When presenting the <br />top 15-20 candidates, the firm will explain how they are the best fit and <br />see if the Council concurs with the list, and who seems most prominent to <br />take forward and further review backgrounds. Mr. Neher stressed that it is <br />critical to get feedback and ensure we keep on track, also notifying the <br />firm if there is a change in the direction the Council wants to proceed. <br /> <br /> <br />4. Process: How flexible are you in your process…when working <br />with a City Council and Mayor that is hands on and very <br />engaged in the process? <br /> <br />Overall, the key is to work with the Council to make sure that the firm <br />structures the search so that the Council is comfortable and give them <br />what they need to make a good decision. This will include building <br />flexibility into the process and ensuring that the process is a team effort. <br />The search will change and shift based on the input from the Council, and <br />that is an understood part of the process. Bennett Yarger will also share <br />their experience and give advice on what works and what doesn’t work in <br />a process. Any information from candidates who are recruited can be <br />made available to Council. <br /> <br />Typically, Bennett Yarger works to narrow the field and develop three tiers <br />of candidates. Candidates can shift among these tiers based on input <br />Bennett Yarger, Page 2 <br /> <br />