Council approves city manager search firm

Springfield City Council approved two bills related to the search at its Monday night meeting. One bill lays out the proposal from Pennsylvania-based Arcus Public for the search, while the other sets aside $50,000 for the search fee and travel expenses.

Arcus was chosen over Dallas-based Waters Consulting Group after several weeks of discussions and a March 13 public meeting.

Arcus now will be in charge of collecting information about the most-qualified candidates for the city manager position currently held by Bob Cumley, who retires June 1. The final hiring decision will come from council.

Mayor Pro Tem Gary Deaver, co-chairman of the city’s 21-member city manager search committee, said he doesn’t expect the full $50,000 – which is taken from the city’s general revenue fund – to be used in the search process. About $20,500 will go to the search firm.

Councilman Dan Chiles said that, despite the additional cost, hiring help is necessary.

“This seems like an expense that is beyond most people’s normal range of operation and understanding, but in the world of hiring a really good person, you have to be aggressive,” Chiles said at the meeting. “Springfield is going to face challenges, but there are people out there who thrive on challenges, and we need to go get them.”

See SBJ’s March 31 issue for more Springfield City Council news.