Ann Arbor to bring city administrator finalists to town in mid-July for interviews, meetings with public
Members of the Ann Arbor community interested in getting to know the finalists in the city administrator job search should mark their calendars for July 12 and 13.
Council Member Christopher Taylor, D-3rd Ward, says that's when city officials plan to bring potentially three or four yet-to-be-determined finalists to town. The two-day schedule will include a reception with the public and interviews with city officials.
"The precise schedule is not yet determined," Taylor said. "It will be broad-ranging. I expect a lot of it will take place here at city hall, but there'll be a broad process — several meetings with members of the public and the council for each of the various candidates."
Christopher Taylor
The city has hired Pennsylvania-based consultant Affion Public to assist with the search process. Taylor said the council's search committee plans to meet on July 5 with Affion Public to winnow a pool of 8 to 10 semi-finalists down to three or four to be interviewed.
The city is accepting applications from both internal and external candidates, and dozens have applied for the job. Their names are all confidential at this point in the process.
Roger Fraser resigned from the city administrator's position after nine years on the job in April to step into a new role as deputy state treasurer for Michigan.
CFO Tom Crawford has been acting as city administrator on an interim basis but is not applying for the full-time job. However, Public Services Area Administrator Sue McCormick is seen by many as the likely front-runner for the position.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Bertha Venation
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
At least with an outsider, we stand half a chance. Sure don't like what's downtown now. Mid-July is perfect! They can see the Art Fair AND the construction on 5th ave!
a2grateful
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
The city needs a residency requirement for administrators and upper-level employees. How many out-of-town administrators/upper-level employees does it take to realize: 1) They don't care about taxes, as they are not taxpayers here. 2) They don't care about service level and quality, as they are not affected. 3) They have no true investment in Ann Arbor, because it is not a place worthy of their, and their family's, residence. These three factors are clearly detrimental to the city and its residents.
Carole
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.
Why are we using city tax dollars to hire an out-of-state consultant to find an employee for the city of Ann Arbor. That is what we pay our own city to do -- I truly have getting very discouraged with the city out sourcing. I would like someone who is from Ann Arbor, who knows Ann Arbor, and is for Ann Arbor.
utownie
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 : 10:42 a.m.
McCormick already is an outsider. She does not live in the community and has no intentions to do so. Check your water bill, storm water bill, and other taxes and compare with years ago. ALL have more than doubled over the past several years, but basements still flood. Don't worry, there are more taxes planned to help us. This is the Frazier / McCormick tax fund used to offset the operating budget to make that one look like costs were controlled. Please bring in some good applicants, Roadman.
Goober
Tue, Jun 14, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
Another consultant. Will we ever learn?
Roadman
Tue, Jun 14, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
Don't be surprised if the job goes to someone other than Sue McCormick she is not the shoo-in some are making her to be. There is chatter that the Powers That Be may be leaning to bring in a relative "outsider".