Are we to trust how city officials search for a CM?

Last week, the city council decided to search on their own for a new city manager.
A few months ago, the council had initially decided to hire a search firm, but councilmembers now say the cost is too expensive, and that they are the best judge to decide who to hire.
Well, we wish we had full confidence in their ability to conduct a search, but the search process for a deputy city manager makes us wonder.
In the deputy city manager search, the city received only two applications, but guess what?
According to the mayor, he was only aware of one application, and that application was submitted by a candidate he knew.
That candidate, a Harvard graduate, has an impressive educational background but zero experience in public administration. The city had posted a minimal requirement calling for at least five years in municipal government, as well as at least a bachelor’s degree with course work in public administration.
A master’s degree in a related field was even more desirable.
Guess who had all of that?
The second applicant is actually a current public administrator for the Village of Bingham Farms. His application wasn’t even considered, nor was he interviewed.
Both applicants submitted their applications within days of each other and, six weeks later, the other candidate with no municipal experience was hired.
How did one applicant not even get noticed?
Will this be the way the search for a city manager will be handled?
Like we said, the whole affair does not inspire confidence in our elected officials. Perhaps it’s best to have a professional search firm handle this matter after all.
Posted Oct. 21, 2022