Wanted: Manager

A special meeting of the Shawnee city commission has been called for Tuesday night to consider hiring a consulting firm to help the city in its search for a new city manager.
The meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. in the city commission chambers, includes a presentation by Chell Consulting about city manager selection services. Commissioners also have agenda item to discuss a process for hiring a new city manager and another on whether to retain the services of Chell Consulting to help in the city’s search.
According to their web site, Chell Consulting, LLC, was established in 1995 and specializes in consulting services to local governments, with a staff of former city managers who have more than 50 years of experience.
The Shawnee city commission terminated the city’s contract with former city manager Jim Collard at a June 15 meeting because they said they wanted to go in a new direction. That night, the commission appointed city clerk and longtime city employee Phyllis Loftis to serve as interim city manager. Since that time, at least 32 applications have been submitted for the city manager job.
Discussions over how Shawnee should search for a city manager included a work session meeting last month to give residents a chance to voice their opinions.
The majority of residents at that meeting thought the city should hire a search firm to find the right person for the job. Residents also wanted someone with experience in management and a city manager who could communicate with the city commissioners and residents.
Some said the city may need to consider increasing the pay for the city manager position to stay competitive in today’s market. Shawnee paid Collard about $96,000 annually.
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Reporter Amanda Gire contributed to this report.
Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962.