Citizen Search Committee?
When the university needs to fill an upper-level job, such as a program director or a dean, it forms a search committee drawn from across the campus community. Members serve without pay.
I wonder why something like that, a Citizen Search Committee, can't be put together to look for a new city manager.
This is not exactly an original idea, as others in the blogosphere have also suggested it, but I'm surprised that the idea hasn't gotten more traction since three of the Council members are university employees and well-acquainted with this process.
Let's face it--there's a huge mismatch between what the city wants in terms of a city manager and what it's willing to do for a new city manager, both in terms of compensation and in terms of providing backing and direction.
We can at least cut our losses by not spending a lot of money on a search firm.
One of the problems with this and past Councils is that it isn't creative enough in spending money. By that I mean that the city doesn't enter into contracts that have both incentives and penalties. We are good at giving things away but not so good at holding people accountable.
In this case, the Council, if it should decide to spend money on a search firm, should insist that the search firm pay back its fee if the new city manager doesn't last for, say, at least two years.
What kind of search firm would take on that kind of an assignment? Only one that would be willing to work very, very hard to earn its money.
Otherwise the city should save its money, and the Council should do its own legwork.
I wonder why something like that, a Citizen Search Committee, can't be put together to look for a new city manager.
This is not exactly an original idea, as others in the blogosphere have also suggested it, but I'm surprised that the idea hasn't gotten more traction since three of the Council members are university employees and well-acquainted with this process.
Let's face it--there's a huge mismatch between what the city wants in terms of a city manager and what it's willing to do for a new city manager, both in terms of compensation and in terms of providing backing and direction.
We can at least cut our losses by not spending a lot of money on a search firm.
One of the problems with this and past Councils is that it isn't creative enough in spending money. By that I mean that the city doesn't enter into contracts that have both incentives and penalties. We are good at giving things away but not so good at holding people accountable.
In this case, the Council, if it should decide to spend money on a search firm, should insist that the search firm pay back its fee if the new city manager doesn't last for, say, at least two years.
What kind of search firm would take on that kind of an assignment? Only one that would be willing to work very, very hard to earn its money.
Otherwise the city should save its money, and the Council should do its own legwork.
posted by Miles Maguire at 7:25 AM
18 Comments:
Miles said:
"We are good at giving things away but not so good at holding people accountable."
Spot on Miles!
That statement holds water across all levels of city government from executives to the blue collar union labor.
Oshkosh must do a better job at holding all levels of employees accountable.
We tax payers are not an endless source of money and city government employement should not be viewed as a job for life with no accountablility.
I do like the idea.
However, that committee should have been formed in August when Mr. Wollangk's retirement offer was accepted. It will be almost six months before we even "select" a recruitment firm. How much longer do you think it would take to form a committee?
How many more reasons can we think of to delay the hiring process? I know we're going to have to drag a couple of the councilors into this process because they still have their hearts set on changing the form of government rather than hiring a city manager.
I often contemplate how their actions are creating a situation where Oshkosh's citizens finally DO want to change the style of government, thus perpetuating their own destiny.
I do love the idea of a search team independant (or at least less so) of the machinations and incestous relationships of the existing players in our city's government and organizations.
It would bring a freshness to the process and limit the influences of protective fraternalism that abound this city.
Great idea Miles.
I just wish the idea hadn't come so late in the game.
I think the council has shown with its botched interim search, even trying to get a job description together, that it can't handle a task of this proportion. Best to leave it to the professionals in the beginning.
I think the saying goes: To err is human; it takes a professional to really screw things up.
This group needs some professional help to find qualified candidates.
A professional firm will do some prescreening and should only present well qualified candidates for interview.
Why would it be "too late" in the game?
The council will not review the RFP's and award a bid until a council meeting in February.
Why couldn't committee selected to
review the RFP's be part of the Search Committee?
Sue Brinkmann is referred to as a recuitment specialist.Ms King is an attorney, Certainly we
could find other citizens willing to contribute time for such a money saving venture.
There is not question that an outside search firm could do the job of prescreening cnadidates.
Do we really think the "only" way to find a suitable city manager is to spend $20K to $40K.
I'm sure there are firms ready and willing to take the dollars doled out by the city but will the results be any better than what the city's own personnel department or a committee could achieve?
"Do we really think the "only" way to find a suitable city manager is to spend $20K to $40K."
It's curious that this $20-40K figure has become a focal point for us to lather about.
How did Mayor Tower ballpark those numbers?
What business or recruitment firm offered up the figure range? Did it come from the personnel department, a national firm or a local one?
I say that that because it will be interesting to see how the "bid" process plays out and who come's in with the "low ball" figure.
Bets anyone?
CJ said:
"I do love the idea of a search team independant (or at least less so) of the machinations and incestous relationships of the existing players in our city's government and organizations."
and then:
"I say that that because it will be interesting to see how the "bid" process plays out and who come's in with the "low ball" figure.
Bets anyone?"
Hahahahahahahahaha!!! We already know who will be the chosen recruitment firm. I'll bet one of the searcher's name will start with "S" and end with; oh, I don't know...."Hintz"??? But, hey, Reickman and others, keep acting like there's going to be a real bidding process.
Another self-serving “guest commentary” piece appears in the 12/17/07 edition of the Northwestern.
Jeff Gilderson-Duwe (Director of the Winnefox Library System and the Oshkosh Public Library) laments the budgeting process and how his area of responsibility had to “take-one-for-the-team”.
Yes Mr. Duwe, budgets are tight. The economy in Oshkosh is not having the much anticipated trickle down effect. Many in Oshkosh are far worse off than they were 8 years ago. Many home owners, property tax payers and rent payers are not reaping the rewards of this “robust” economy. In case you didn’t notice, hundreds of people stood in line for hours at the last two Oshkosh Truck Job Fairs. Many, many people thought that a $12.00 per hour ($24,960.00 per year) job was a big enough improvement for their situation that they stood in those lines to apply. The wage and benefit that Oshkosh Truck provides is far superior to what many of those that applied are currently receiving.
The City passed a budget with a 3% tax increase. I personally know of many who have not received a 3% wage or benefit increase at their jobs for years. many in-fact have actually stepped backwards as their employers require they pay for the ever increasing costs of healthcare insurance.
I understand your personal displeasure with the current situation. As your department is not one that is highly critical to the welfare of Oshkosh property tax payers (compared with police and fire) you do wear a target on your back in budget cut times.
Here is the situation:
Oshkosh taxpayers continue to fund and pay for 95% of city employee healthcare coverage. This amounts to millions of dollars each year. If this ratio was adjusted to be an 80% payment, the city would have excess money to assist with additional labor for your area, as well as other quality of life improvements in Oshkosh.
An 80/20 payment sharing ratio is very common in most business and industry. The employer pays 80% and the employee pays 20%
In Oshkosh City Government, the taxpayers (you and me) pay 95% and the city worker (blue or white collar) pays 5%
Just by change that 95/5 ratio to a 80/20 ratio, we would be able to fund many more projects, without placing an even higher burden on the taxpayers in Oshkosh, many who could only dream of having a healthcare plan as gold plated as the city provides.
So Mr. Duwe, in closing you state:
“I hope that the Oshkosh community is willing to invest in a library that can deliver the type of collections, programs and personalized service that help to strengthen and enrich our lives.”
I’d like to add that if the city employees would be willing to bargain for a much more standard 80/20 healthcare cost sharing ratio, there would be much more money available to invest in the library system.
I agree this deal is about as cut and dried as the fruit in the ever famous fruit-cake.
Did they say they "professional search firm" OR "professors search firm"?
They get the bid because councilors will state:
a.they are familiar with the firm
b.they are a "local" firm
c.this firm is most familiar with Oshkosh politics a the city needs
incestous relationships of the existing players??? Oshkosh policitians at their worst..
8:58 has been saving up his energy for another swipe at city employees. Here we go again!
8:58 AM
We're discussing Citizen Search Committee. How does your post contribute to the topic?
Please start your own blog for the drum you beat. Thanks
8:58 BRAVO!!
That is a good point of reference when they interview for a new city mgr. How does this guy intend to deal with the unions on the healthcare cost problem.
PROFESSIONAL search firm in this case means PROFESSORS search firm...
stay tuned time will time
So it appears Paul Esslinger will return for another term on the council.
Who was that person that predicted he would be defeated?
It was several people. Just 'cause no one's running, big bad Pandering Paul can't refute the fact his popularity has dropped during his years in office. Look at his numbers every time he runs and you'll see he's winning by less and less every election.
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