Prior Lake hires firm to conduct search for next city manager

Prior Lake American

The search for a new city manager for the city of Prior Lake has begun after City Manager Frank Boyles announced in July that he will retire in March 2019.

The Prior Lake City Council approved a contract 3-2 on Monday with DDA Human Resources in an amount not to exceed $18,000 to conduct the search.

“We want to make sure we conduct every effort to find the most qualified candidates to hopefully find another 25-year term city manager in the future,” Assistant City Manager Lori Olson said.

Boyles has been the city manager for 26 years.

DDA Human Resources will develop a search timetable, create a job description and promotional brochure, interview stakeholders to see what traits are desirable in a city manager, identify and recruit candidates, conduct applicant screening and interviews, develop an offer, conduct background checks and facilitate negotiations between the candidate and the council, according to the council memo.

The firm has a 24-month guarantee on the selection of a candidate. The council received another proposal for more than $21,000 from Springsted-Waters Executive Recruitment.

Council members Zach Braid and Annette Thompson voted against approving the contract. Both Braid and Thompson said they would like to see if there was interest from an internal candidate before hiring an executive search firm.

“I think we do need someone that represents Laker values and understands our community,” Braid said. “I’m also a big believer in upward mobility within organizations. ... I think it’s one of the ways to find and keep really good people.”

Braid said city staff could go to various department heads and see if there was interest in the position and if not, the firm could be looked at again.

Thompson said she would like to see human resources for the city do an internal search and report back to council on the findings.

“Most good companies, I think, do internal searches before they go outside their firm,” Thompson said. “Even some of these firms would tell you, ‘you don’t need me if you’ve got an internal candidate.’”

Council member Mike McGuire said having the firm conduct the search would show residents that the position wasn’t given to an internal candidate.

“(If we do the search) I think the public feels we went through an open, honest search and we didn’t just hand it to any one person, and I think that’s important,” McGuire said.

Council member Kevin Burkart said he hopes internal candidates who are interested will apply and that if an internal candidate were hired after the search, they would feel validated knowing they are the best person for the job.

“This is a good direction for us,” Burkart said.

“Initially, I was concerned about the hiring of a recruiter like this,” Burkart said. “This amount is half of what I thought it would be. ... It seems very reasonable for an organization of this size that’s hiring a CEO.”

The funding for the search will come from the general fund reserves. Boyles will continue to serve as manager through February 2019 and as an as-needed adviser through August 2019, according to a news release from the city regarding his retirement.

Boyles said he is most proud of the staff members he’s worked with, overseeing the construction of seven public buildings and the redevelopment of the five community parks and the city’s reputation for services and collaboration with cities, counties, townships, school districts and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

The next city manager is expected to be in place by February 2019.