Search begins for new city manager

Springfield City Council Monday night approved the process to establish a search committee to replace Cumley, 64, who took the reins of the city when Tom Finnie retired in April 2006.

Mayor Pro Tem Gary Deaver will chair the committee; Mayor Tom Carlson said he would not lead the search because he won’t be in office when the new manager takes office due to term limits.

“This will be one of the most important decisions the council makes in quite some time,” Deaver said during the meeting. “It’s my goal to create a process that is totally transparent and inclusive.”

That process begins with a new Web site, which the city plans to unveil later this week, where citizens can fill out a questionnaire and offer comments about what characteristics are most important for the new city manager. Citizens also will be able to fill out volunteer service applications if they are interested in serving on the search committee.

The search process, according to the resolution, will be similar to the process followed by Missouri State University in its presidential search in 2005.

Deaver said that while a specific number of committee members has not been set, the plan is to keep the number “manageable” – probably around 20.

The new candidate will have big shoes to fill; Cumley has been with the city for 34 years, including 23 years as assistant and deputy city manager before taking over for Finnie last year.

See SBJ’s Nov. 12 issue for more on the Nov. 5 council meeting.