It isn't certain where Danville's next city manager will come from, but at Monday's city commission meeting, commissioners discussed where the city manager will live once she or he is hired.
The city commission discussed several items requested by Mercer Group, the professional search firm tasked with handling advertising placement and narrowing the list of candidates. The information the Atlanta-based company is still seeking includes a list of major issues facing the city and residency requirements for the job.
The official job description for the city manager position currently requires the city manager to relocate within the city limits after he or she is hired. However, there was some disagreement on the commission over whether the issue may be a potential deal breaker.
Commissioner Kevin Caudill said he was in favor of maintaining the obligation, primarily because it ensures the city's top administrative employee will be subject to the same ordinances, fees and other strictures as other city residents.
Commissioner Gail Louis, though, said she was in favor of allowing some candidates more leeway. She went straight to the most obvious example: Interim City Manager Ron Scott, who has said he intends to apply for the permanent position, lives in Boyle County just outside the city's northern boundary.
Jody Lassiter, president and CEO of the Danville Boyle County Economic Development Partnership, citing experience with similar searches, urged the commission to consult with Mercer Group about what affect having a strict residency requirement might have on the initial search. He warned narrowing the field early on could have negative implications as the search progresses.
The commission ultimately decided not to change the language in the job description. Mayor Bernie Hunstad said he favored revisiting the subject after the most highly qualified candidates were identified.
Mercer Group, which the city is paying $7,500 for their portion of the search process, also asked for a list of major issues facing Danville.
The commission identified jobs, aging infrastructure, aging population and health and retirement costs for the city as challenges. However, Hunstad and others on the commission said they also wanted to accentuate the positives and provide some context by referencing a description of the city as a place to live and work put together by Lassiter.
Under the city’s contract with Mercer Group, the company is obligated to conduct an advertising campaign and cut the applicants to a list of 10-15 finalists.
The contract stipulates that Mercer will complete its part of the process in 60 days.
