Elected city leaders won’t be focused on finding a new city manager until after budget hearings are finished. (The Enterprise/FILE)
ONTARIO – The search for a new Ontario city manager has yet to begin and probably won’t start until after budget hearings, Mayor Riley Hill said last week.
Even then, it could be four to six months before the position is filled, according to elected city officials.
Adam Brown, the current city manager, notified city officials recently he will take over a similar post for the city of Keizer. Keizer officials announced Brown would be their next city manager pending a background check and the finalizing of his contract by March 7.
Brown made $137,000 a year as Ontario city manager. He said his pay as the top Keizer administrator is still being worked out.
Brown said he expects to be in his position by mid-April.
The city budget hearings are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, March 8-9 and, if needed, Thursday, March 10.
“There will be discussions about it at the next council meeting,” Hill said.
The next city council meeting is set for March 22.
The city manager helps supervise and prepare the annual budget, directs and supervises city departments and department heads and serves as a liaison between city staff and the council.
The city manager also plays an important role in planning the city’s future.
Brown held his top Ontario post for nearly six years.
Brown said last week the city has a few choices moving forward to fill the spot.
Officials may hire an interim city manager while they search for a full-time replacement, he said.
Brown also said he told councilors that he would connect them with the International City/County Manager Association to find a suitable replacement.
“They told me they would welcome any options,” said Brown.
Brown cautioned, though, that the current market for city managers is tight.
“It is very competitive right now,” he said.
Brown said the effort to fill the vacant position will “be a process.”
“The very fastest is three months, but more likely five to six months,” said Brown.
Councilor Michael Braden also said there will be no quick fixes regarding a new city manager.
“The fastest I’d expect is four to six months,” said Braden.
Hill said he was “a little surprised” by Brown’s decision.
Hill also said there was no “concerted effort to get him out.”
“Absolutely not,” he said.
Last week, former city councilor Norm Crume asserted there was a coordinated effort by Hill and Councilor Ken Hart to push Brown out of his position.
“They’re just making it so uncomfortable for him he feels he has to look elsewhere,” said Crume.
For his part, Brown has shied away from listing any one factor that prompted his decision.
“I don’t want to leave anything negative because there are a lot of good things coming this city’s way,” said Brown.
News tip? Contact reporter Pat Caldwell at [email protected].
Previous coverage:
Ontario city manager sets his sights on new job in Keizer
Ontario council seeks power to hire department heads
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