Hiring Our First City Manager
Our community has deliberately set a course to change the structure by which we govern ourselves in Ashland. It is the job of the current elected leadership to put a plan in motion so that this transition is smooth, thoughtful, and transparent. We all want the community to have confidence in the process and the person with the best qualifications for the job to become Ashland’s first City Manager.
The Gist:
· While the ballot measure passed in May to move to a Council/Manager form of government, it does not take effect until January 1. In the meantime, we remain under a Mayor/Administrator form of government and we have an Interim City Administrator in place.
· This transition to a new form of government is important and we need to make sure we get it right.
· Time is of the essence if we want our new City Manager on board in time to be instrumental in our budget process next spring (which we do).
· The Mayor’s appointment of a permanent City Administrator (who would then become City Manager January 1, 2021) isn’t moving forward because our Interim City Administrator stepped back from the appointment, and Council directed staff to develop a job description and recruitment process.
· Council also directed staff to incorporate community engagement and social and racial equity in that process.
· Because of the timing, this selection process will involve both the current Council and the incoming Council. We will need to figure out the best way for this Council to begin the process and hand it off seamlessly to the incoming Council.
· None of this shift in process has anything to do with the quality of the work that our current Interim City Administrator is doing to manage the City during the pandemic and this transition. There is widespread agreement that he has risen admirably to the challenge, and we are in good hands until this process is resolved.
My Thoughts:
I believe everyone is doing what they think is in the best interest of the City. While there are significant time constraints that push us to resolve this question quickly, there are more reasons to slow it down and move in a methodical way. Something bigger is happening here. In this challenging time where the sand seems to be shifting beneath our feet, Ashland residents are signaling that they want to be more involved, not less.
That’s a good thing. And it is the City’s job to create opportunities for meaningful community engagement so that people can influence the course of the City in a positive, productive way through a transparent and thoughtful process.
My goals for this process:
The process for creating the City Manager’s job description engages the larger community, particularly those from the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and business communities. There is significant work for the City Manager to do in partnership with both of these communities moving forward, as well as others, so we need to make sure we hear from them.
A smooth and seamless handoff between our current council and the incoming council given that we know there will be three new councilors and a new mayor on January 1.
A robust and cost-effective recruitment plan for the hiring process that explicitly addresses racial and other forms of bias and takes active steps to ensure a diverse pool of qualified applicants.
The timing is such that this new manager can be on board by the budget process in the spring (this is a stretch goal, but it’s important).
We hire the person who is the most qualified and the best fit for the work that is before us in Ashland.
We execute a contract that is both fair for our new manager and fiscally responsible for our community.
A personal note:
We can design this process in a way that brings us together as a community - and I believe that is the only way we will succeed in the long-term after this transition. I will continue to do my part by advocating for community engagement and a robust process. I appreciate hearing thoughts and input, especially about specific elements of this process, from Ashland residents as we move forward.
Please reach out at tonya@council.ashland.or.us if you have questions or would like to share your thoughts, concerns, or suggestions.