City manager search delayed

Sisters City Council has decided to delay beginning the search for a permanent city manager until after the election of a new council in November.

On the advice of Interim City Manager Rick Allen, they considered several key factors that make the delay seem like a logical decision: If the current Council were to be conducting the interviews, the potential candidates would not be meeting the Council for whom they would potentially be working. Allen indicated that might cause some hesitation on the part of applicants.

Council also agreed that the passage of more time would afford Allen the opportunity to resolve some current problem situations to help make the position more attractive to a qualified candidate. Anyone applying for the city manager job could very easily access information about the recent past problems experienced here in Sisters - regarding departure of two former city managers, former legal counsel, and the reoccurring resignations of Council members, plus the difficulty filling volunteer positions on commissions, committees, and task forces.

Council discussed the importance of a steady hand at the helm for possibly as long as a year, providing time to rebuild stability among the staff. Stability is essential if Sisters is going to attract a new permanent city manager with the qualifications and experience necessary to move the City forward in a dynamic way.

"We need stability on the Council and with the staff before looking for a city manager," Allen said, and the Council agreed.

Allen is available to stay longer than the original six months of his contract. He did, however, make it abundantly clear that he has no interest in applying for the permanent position.

"I won't be applying for the full-time position," Allen assured the Council.

He indicated that his own current and future business obligations preclude him from even considering applying.

His work with the City of La Pine concluded on June 30, so Allen foresees being in Sisters officially three days a week. Public Works Director Paul Bertagna indicated to Council that things are running smoothly with Allen's part-time schedule and he is always reachable if needed at other times. Allen likened his position to that of an orchestra conductor with the staff being the orchestra actually playing the instruments - and they can do that without him standing up in front all the time.

Allen warned that filling the city manager position might not be an easy task. The issues in Sisters are more complex than a first-time city manager would be equipped to handle, making a novice or someone with limited experience probably not a good fit. For someone in the middle of their career with some experience, the small town of Sisters wouldn't necessarily be a step up or even a lateral move. There might be someone with a great deal of experience who is looking to step back into a smaller town, but then there might be the concern about a lack of enthusiasm or fresh ideas.

What makes Sisters attractive to a potential candidate is the city itself and the lifestyle available here. Council agreed it would be a worthwhile endeavor to take the time necessary to find the right person for the job and for the City.

Allen cautioned Council, "Your first try might not stick," but assured them that is not unusual.

Between now and fall, Council will determine exactly how they want to proceed with the hiring process; enlisting the services of a professional organization that handles all the steps in the recruiting process, handling it all in-house (which can be very time-consuming), or a combination effort with an outside firm helping to narrow-down the field of applicants.