BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON - The process of finding a new city manager will start Monday at a special council meeting.
Council members expect to discuss appointing an interim manager and form a committee to begin the search for a new city manager.
Councilman Joe McKenzie said the seven-member board will discuss hiring a consultant to conduct a national search to replace City Manager Richard Hayward, who submitted his letter of resignation Tuesday.
Mr. Hayward was to interview Friday and today for the city manager position in Delaware, Ohio, a suburb 20 miles north of Columbus. Mr. Hayward is one of three candidates - and the only one from Ohio - considered for the top position in that fast-growing community of 30,000 people.
Delaware council expects to make a decision by Monday.
Lebanon Councilman John McComb estimated the search for a new city manager would cost about $10,000. He said it was too early to discuss what qualities he wants in candidates and what issues are important.
Mr. Hayward's letter said he would remain until May 31 or until he took another job.
Regardless of whether Mr. Hayward is offered the Delaware position, council needs to begin the search for his replacement, Mr. McKenzie said. The last search for a city manager, when council ultimately offered Mr. Hayward the job in 1987, took nine months.
"I think it was a real good process last time," Mr. McKenzie said. "It helped us get a good city manager. I think we should do exactly the same thing."
The first step in that process would be a series of meetings between a consulting company and council to discuss what type of city manager the board wants. Next, the company would conduct a national search for candidates, then give council a list of a couple of dozen for review. Finally, council would pare the list down to five or so candidates and begin a series of interviews.
Councilman Jim Reinhard believes a consultant could help find a good match for the city - a candidate with experience in economic development, telecommunications and planning and zoning issues. He also supports adding a deputy city manager position in the 1999 budget.
"The job may be getting to the point where one person can't be an expert in all areas," Mr. Reinhard said.
Prospective candidates need to be able to deal with a strong city council, member Mark Flick said. The current board is becoming increasingly involved in decision-making for the city, and the new city manager needs to be able to carry out those directives, he said.
That was one of Mr. Hayward's shortcomings, Mr. Flick said. Mayor James Mills declined to comment.
