Durango City Council seeks input on preferred qualities for next city manager

Durango City Council is seeking community input about what qualities the next city manager should possess.

Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file

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Durango City Council is seeking community input about what qualities the next city manager should possess.

Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file

The Durango City Council wants input from community leaders in its search for a new city manager, a position it hopes to fill this spring.

Consultants hired to perform a search for a city manager met with elected officials and city staff this week in an effort to determine characteristics they may look for in qualified candidates for the next top administrator in Durango.

Slavin Management Consultants President Robert Slavin said councilors should expect a draft of a profile defining the preferred characteristics and qualifications of potential candidates by Jan. 20.

Once councilors approve the document, consultants anticipate the hiring process will take 90 days. It may take an additional 30 to 45 days for the person to begin working.

City councilors agreed to invite dozens of community stakeholders to contribute to the preferred profile, seeking comments from organization leaders who would work with the city manager on a regular basis. The council also plans to host a meet-and-greet session with three to five finalists and the community toward the end of the selection process.

“If we take the time to get input, I want to be more inclusive than exclusive,” Mayor Melissa Youssef said.

Councilors met with consultants individually before a public meeting Wednesday, and each suggested a new city manager should value transparency and collaboration, Slavin said.

Former City Manager Ron LeBlanc was criticized for his tense working relationship with council, particularly after two new city councilors – Kim Baxter and Barbara Noseworthy – were elected in April. Some residents were vocal about their dislike for his attitude and interactions with members of the public.

“I think it goes without saying that the past four months, there’s been a significant amount of conflict between staff and council,” Mayor Melissa Youssef said in August after LeBlanc announced his retirement. “This is an opportunity to look forward to the future in a positive way.”

The City Council settled out of a contract with LeBlanc in September.

Consultants said they plan to visit candidates for Durango’s city manager job and vet potential hires for their ability to communicate and interact with subordinates, bosses and community members.

The company also offered the City Council help with negotiating a contract with a potential hire.

bhauff@durangoherald.com