HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2C: Approval of Contingency Funds for City Manager Recruitment
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Action: Request for Contingency Funds for Cost and Expenses Associated with
Recruitment and Selection of a New City Manager
Meeting Date: September 24, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 2C
Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Mary Walston
Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Alana Holmes
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5406
Contact Telephone Number: 682-5765
ISSUE STATEMENT
This is a request to use funds from the General Fund contingency account for the costs and expenses
associated with the recruitment and selection of a new city manager.
BACKGROUND
On August 13, 2007, the City Council approved the recommendation from the City Manager
Recruitment and Selection Committee (members are Councilors Ortiz, Pryor, Bettman and Poling and
Mayor Piercy) to hire the firm Bennett Yarger Associates to be engaged to assist the City with the City
Manager recruitment and selection process. Shortly thereafter the City entered into a contract with the
firm to provide these services. Thus far, the recruiter has interviewed the Mayor and councilors
individually, has met with the selection committee, and met with the City Council at an extended work
session. During the week of September 17, the recruiter was scheduled to meet with a variety of
stakeholders in addition to observing a community forum on the topic of the City Manager recruitment.
The amount of $50,000 is requested to cover the costs of the personnel service contract and associated
expenses. The contract for services is in the amount of $25,000. The additional funds are requested to
cover the costs of travel, food and lodging for the candidates (and spouse/significant other if requested),
expenses for a formal paper background check, expenses for travel for a face-to-face background check,
and any social events held for the candidates. In FY03, the cost of the recruitment for the City Manager
was $38,783. The projected increase in expenses is due in part to the additional travel being requested
of the recruiter and the increases in air fares in the past few years.
At this time, related travel expenses are based upon estimates; should the total expenses be less, the
funds can be returned to the General Fund contingency account. Should the expenses be more, it may be
necessary to request additional funds. The cost and expenses for the City Manager recruitment will be
paid from the division budget for the City Manager’s Office. In the preparation and adoption of the
FY08 budget no plans or provisions were made for the expenses associated with the recruitment of a
City Manager, thus the need to request additional funds from the General Fund.
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RELATED CITY POLICIES
This item is not directly related to a City policy. However, the hiring of a City Manager is related to the
City Council value of an “Effective, Accountable Municipal Government.”
COUNCIL OPTIONS
The council may approve motion to authorize the expenditure of General Fund contingency, modify or
reject the motion.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval of the proposed motion.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to authorize the expenditure of funds from the General Fund contingency account for recruitment
and selection of the City Manager, estimated to be approximately $50,000.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Mary Walston
Telephone: 682-5406
Staff E-Mail: mary.f.walston@ci.eugene.or.us
Staff Contact: Alana Holmes
Telephone: 682-5765
Staff E-Mail: alana.m.holmes@ci.eugene.or.us
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