Dozens keen on city’s top job
City council will have a wide field of candidates to choose from when the group finally sits down to pick the municipality’s new top administrator.
The city received 49 applications for the CAO job and now a vetting committee of two councillors, the mayor and a consultant is set to whittle the number down for a first round of interviews.
The list of applicants includes three internal candidates — city managers Byron McCorkell, David Duckworth and David Trawin.
In January, Randy Diehl announced he would be retiring from the job on May 1.
Mayor Peter Milobar called the exact number of applicants making the first cut “fluid,” but added the committee wants to interview as many qualified people as possible.
“This is all about trying to make sure we cast a wide net, get a good variety of people to choose from and, ultimately, make sure it’s a competitive process,” he said.
Milobar said he isn’t surprised by the number of applications, noting the city is a sought-after location for candidates in the industry.
He said he would be worried if there were no internal candidates interested in the position, contending having three come forward is a sign of strength within the city.
Following the first interview, applicants on the shortlist will then move on to a second round of interviews, which involves the entire city council, before a final decision is made.
Milobar said the hiring process is progressing at an expected pace and will likely meet his original timeline of a having a replacement in place by May 1.
Diehl worked for the city for 23 years, including 12 as the CAO. Before then, he worked as a land planner and social worker.
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