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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
August 14, 2012
DALLAS -- Approachable. Open-minded. A volunteer. A skilled financial manager. A facilitator who can help turn ideas into action. A "big picture" person.
Those are among traits Dallas would like to see in its next city manager.
The Dallas City Council took another step toward filling its city manager post Monday, approving a job, salary range and city profile.
Those profiles will be used to advertise the position during the next four weeks.
Nancy Boyer, the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments' executive director, is assisting with the search. Last week, Boyer and the council fine-tuned the profiles that will serve as an introduction to both the city and the job prospective candidates will be expected to perform.
With Monday night's approval of the job profile, the city is on track to begin interviewing candidates in early November.
"It's a pretty quick schedule, but it's probably good to be interviewing at that time," Boyer said, noting beginning much later may conflict with Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday schedules.
Issues the city will face in 2013, lean budgeting practices, and city staff volunteerism rose to the top of what the council wanted emphasized in the profile.
Jon Nelson, the city's interim city manager, said the immediate challenges the city will be dealing with in the next year should be included in the profile.
He listed the city's Urban Renewal District and economic development projects, upcoming watershed and public works (water, sewer and streets) studies, and possible intergovernmental partnerships -- such as merging of area fire districts -- as issues that will take priority in 2013.
"Knowing the upcoming issues might help candidates decide if they want to apply," he said.
Councilors also stressed careful financial management as a requirement of the job. While the council didn't want candidates to have the impression the city is in dire straits financially, it did want to make it clear the budget is tight -- and likely will remain that way.
"I want people to come in with both eyes open," Councilor Jackie Lawson said.
In the realm of community relations, Councilor Ken Woods said though not a strict requirement, volunteering in the community on the part of the city manager has become a cherished tradition in Dallas.
"Volunteerism is a big part of the backbone of the city and we expect that city manager to be part of that, too," Woods said.
Interested candidates can apply for the position until Sept. 10. Following the advertisement, Boyer will screen applicants and bring top candidates to the council for interview consideration. Interviews are slated to begin the week of Nov. 5.
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