77°F
weather icon Clear
Boulder City, NV
Opinion

The ins and outs of hiring a city manager

By Michael Mays Acting City Manager
September 12, 2024 - 5:05 pm
 

It’s been four months since former City Manager Taylour Tedder left Boulder City to take a job in Delaware. Since his departure, I’ve been serving as acting city manager.

There has been a lot said about the search for a new city manager for Boulder City. Therefore, it’s important to understand why this role is so important to the city and how critical it is to find the right person that can best serve the city council, city employees and residents of our great community.

The city manager is the head of the administrative branch of the city government. City managers are appointed by and directly accountable to the mayor and the city council. Boulder City operates under a council/manager form of government, meaning the elected mayor and city council are responsible for all policy decisions affecting the city. The implementation of city council policies and the general administration of day-to-day city operations is the responsibility of the city manager.

The day-to-day activities of the city manager vary. These include responding to resident concerns, discussing contracts or budgets, working with regional partners on issues that may impact the city and providing leadership and support to department heads and direct reports. It is important that the next city manager has the skills necessary to serve the mayor and city council, employees and residents well and ensure that we maintain the high quality of life expected by our residents in a fiscally responsible manner.

City managers manage city employees with the exception of the city clerk, city attorney and municipal court judge (as they are appointed by the city council). In many ways, the city manager has to be knowledgeable in several disciplines. He or she is responsible for 224 full time employees and 151 part-time employees in seven departments: community development, finance, fire, parks and recreation, police, public works, and utilities. In addition, there are four divisions that report directly to the city manager: human resources, communications, the airport and information technology. The next city manager will also be responsible for implementation of the new five-year strategic plan that will be adopted by the city council later this year.

City managers work with the departments to prepare annual budgets (with significant support from the finance department). The draft annual budget is submitted to the city council for their approval. Following city council approval, the city manager is responsible for implementation of the approved budget. They advise the city council of the financial condition and future needs of the city. The new city manager will oversee a combined FY 2025 city budget of just over $103 million. Being a good fiscal steward of the public’s dollars requires an open, transparent process, and knowledge on how to lead a successful, efficient local government.

The last two city managers were hired through recruitment firms. With the recent retirement of the administrative services/personnel director earlier this year, the current human resource (HR) staff have been very busy, focused on the hiring process for other city jobs, not to mention the other day-to-day responsibilities required by an organization’s human resource division, which include city compliance with labor laws, employee training and management of employee benefits.

Hiring a recruitment firm provides the city council with the best tools to find qualified candidates to fill this important position for the community. WBCP, Inc. specializes in reviewing applicants and identifying qualified candidates.

The firm has knowledge of the industry and a successful track record of finding the best fit for the position. Their team will narrow down the list of applicants and help the council select candidates for interviews that meet the qualifications for the position. In her presentation, WBCP President Wendi Brown said, “WBCP understands the complexity of community leadership, and we are prepared to provide a thorough, complete, and fair recruitment process to provide a diverse applicant pool.”

In-person candidate interviews with the city council will be scheduled during a special city council meeting in November, which will provide the public an opportunity to attend or watch the interviews via live-stream or on-demand.

Subject to the city council finding a qualified candidate during the interview process, the new city manager would start at the beginning of 2025.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
bcr default image
Gathering is golden
By Rod Woodbury

Boulder City is exceptionally adept at staging major annual events and festivals for visitors to enjoy. Art in the Park, Spring Jam, Best Dam Barbecue, the Fourth of July Damboree Celebration, Wurst Festival, Santa’s Electric Light Parade, and Bootleg Canyon mountain bike events are just a few examples. Of course, many Boulder City residents enjoy those, too.

bcr default image
Pack safety into sun and fun plans
By Julie Calloway Parks and Recreation Director

Summer is almost here. As the temperatures rise, many of us will be looking for opportunities to cool down.

bcr default image
May may be my favorite month
By Mayor Joe Hardy

Boulder City is the place to be this time of the year, with so many fantastic events and festivals.

bcr default image
Castile soap, the superstar multi-tasker
By Norma Vally

Soap isn’t typically something we give much thought to, but when Castile soap bubbled up in my world three times in one week, for completely different reasons, I took it as a sign. So, in scrubbing up on my soap knowledge it became clear—Castile soap is, well, soaprier.

bcr default image
A graduation gift to remember
By Ron Eland Editor

Over the last couple of weeks, I twice drove over the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge, aka the Hoover Dam bypass.

bcr default image
Democracy dies in … Oh, shut up
By Bill Evans Boulder City Review

OK, so, fair warning. I may be a little “spicier” than normal. It’s been a challenging couple of weeks and I’m in a worse mood than usual.

bcr default image
Real ID will help combat terrorism
By Chuck N. Baker

Most veterans in Nevada are aware that when they obtain a driver’s license or renew their old one, they can ask the DMV to add the word “veteran” on the license. While that won’t give them a get-out-of-jail-free card, it might evoke some sympathy from an officer if a veteran is pulled over for a minor infraction. (No guarantee, but it has happened to me.)

bcr default image
Centenarian Sara, a Boulder City treasure
By Rod Woodbury

At 100 years of age, Sara Denton is certainly one of Boulder City’s oldest residents. And if you’ve met her, you’ll likely agree that she’s one of its most cheerful residents as well. Sara loves to laugh and has always lived life with gusto and adventure.

bcr default image
Know what wheels kids can (and can’t) operate
By Police Chief Tim Shea and Acting Fire Chief Greg Chesser

Motorized devices are growing in popularity, especially with teens, but many parents don’t know the legalities or the dangers.

bcr default image
Teamwork resonates in City Hall
By Mayor Joe Hardy

Every year, college basketball fans get excited for their team to play in the “Big Dance.” March Madness (women’s and men’s NCAA basketball) is down to the final four teams this weekend. It’s estimated that 34 million brackets were completed this year.