A search firm to recruit the next city manager was selected during the City Commission meeting Monday night.

Raftelis was selected as the executive search firm to conduct the hiring process at a cost of about $29,000.

Raftelis, a Cincinnati-based firm, has completed 300 searches and places an emphasis on communication with commissioners and other city staff, according to its application for consideration as reported in a prior Eudora Times article.

The application said the firm’s aim is to not just discuss the technical skills needed for the position, but also what makes for the right organizational fit in terms of traits and experiences.

The multi-step interview process could include writing exercises, presentations, panel interviews, tours, and a department director or key staff meet-and-greet. The firm will also develop first-year organizational goals for the hired candidate to ensure the applicants know what will be expected if they are hired.

In a work plan submitted to the city, Raftelis said its first steps are to develop a picture of the ideal candidate for the position and a timeline by meeting with city commissioners, department directors, key staff and a focus group with residents.

Vice Mayor Tim Bruce said the applicants need to have a diverse range of experience for the job. 

“It can’t just be a single-faceted background,” Bruce said.

Commissioner Roberta Lehmann said she didn’t want to put candidates in a box ahead of seeing applicants.

“Like, I don’t want to say, ‘This is what I want,’” Lehmann said. “Somebody else may come in, and they just may have everything checked off.”

The company has an estimated timeline of three months to select a candidate,Commissioner Alex Curnes said.

In other news, the city discussed a recent deferred decision by the County Commission related to a permit for a new quarry just outside city limits, as reported in a previous Eudora Times article.

“It sounds like the applicant has to provide some more information about the road and how much they’re going to be willing to spend,” Interim City Manager Kevyn Gero said. 

At the County Commission meeting, 13 people spoke against the quarry. Many of them highlighted the truck routes as a concern. 

Resident and Realtor Caren Rowland expressed concerns about the quarry during public comment at Monday’s meeting, noting the need to have that land for additional housing in the area with Panasonic coming.

There is no set date for a meeting at this time, Planning Commission Chair Grant Martin said in a message to the Eudora Times Tuesday. 

In other news, Barbwire Barbecue received a $2,900 grant under the city’s 2023 Downtown Grant Program. 

The restaurant cited four projects in its grant application: a new hood system in the kitchen, more aggregate on the pavement to prevent potholes and clean up brush, a corral on the dumpster and the purchase of land from Grandview Mobile Home Park for future expansion, according to the agenda statement. 

In other news, the commission voted to make January 2023 Human Trafficking Awareness Month in conjunction with the Willow Domestic Violence Center. 

Reach reporter Caroline Zimmerman at [email protected].

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