City Manager Recruitment Policy

At a glance

• What: A proposed formal procedure for future City Manager recruitments, drawn from lessons learned in recent recruitments and an after-action review.
• Where it stands: Presented for discussion and direction on September 9, 2026; no vote. Consultant Drew Geiger said it is not tied to any current staffing issue.
• Next: Commission feedback and possible revisions; no adoption date in the record.

Detail

• The policy names the Commission as appointing authority under the Charter, City Code and state law, adds conflict-of-interest disclosure and applicant confidentiality until candidates are chosen for interviews, and leaves future Commissions flexibility on public participation.
• Jordan Crosby (outside counsel) called it a guide to avoid recreating the process each time.
• Reed asked about the confidentiality agreement and conflict provisions; Geiger said it could cover Commissioners and designated staff. Logan asked about public involvement and stressed public education about applicant privacy.
• Clerk Clayborn said a formal procedure preserves institutional knowledge. No public comment.

Sources

• September 9, 2026 administrative meeting minutes (in the September 28 agenda packet): https://helenamt.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=639&compileOutputType=1

Log

2026-09-09 - City Commission Administrative Meeting

Policy overview and discussion; no action.