CONNEAUT — A consultant could deliver a list of top city manager candidates to City Council early next month, officials said.
Council met in executive session Tuesday night with a representative of Dylan, Iosue and Associates of Beachwood, to map out the selection process, said Council President James Jones.
The management selection specialist will evaluate and check out the 36 applicants for the job and then prepare a list of “seven or 10” top prospects for council’s consideration, Jones said. Council could learn the finalists within “four to six weeks,” he said.
In addition, council members will be interviewed individually to discover traits they desire in the next city manager, Jones said.
Resumes have been turned over to the firm, Jones said.
“It’s in their hands,” he said.
At a recent finance committee meeting, Jones was authorized to hire the search company at a fee not to exceed $9,000. A $10,000 gift from the Conneaut Community Foundation will pay the bill.
Initially, council was prepared to handle all of the hiring process to save the cash-strapped community some money.
Council is looking for a full-time successor to Douglas Lewis, who resigned in May to become assistant city manager in Painesville. City resident Edward Somppi has served as interim manager since then but will resign at the end of the week.
Council is mulling options regarding the city’s management after Somppi departs, Jones said. Jones has said he is reluctant to hire another interim manager when the city is so close to finding a full-time manager.
Somppi is leaving with two months remaining on his second three-month contract. He has not disclosed the reason, but sources have said he is frustrated with criticism of local government heard in the community.
Somppi did not attend Tuesday’s meeting, but in his report, read aloud by Jones, he urged council to “put aside the partisanship that is putting a wedge between you.” He also thanked the city for being given the opportunity to serve.
Local News
Conneaut city manager could be hired in October
Consultant will screen the 36 job applicants
- Local News
-
-
Conneaut’s development headquarters takes shape
A small building two blocks from Lake Erie could become Conneaut’s economic development headquarters before the start of summer.
-
Sheriff’s detectives net two active meth labs
Acting on a tip, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies uncovered an active methamphetamine lab Friday afternoon, according to Lt. Van Robison.
-
Former Ashtabula resident killed in car crash Tuesday
Ashley N. Penwell, 22, formerly of East Fourth St., Ashtabula, was pronounced dead at the scene of a Tuesday car crash on Charleston Pike Road in Chillicothe.
-
Ashtabula County is near top in 2011 bear sightings
Ashtabula County finished second in the number of black bear sightings reported in Ohio last year, according to a report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.
-
Break-in results in felony charges
A Conneaut man faces two felony charges stemming from a break-in at a vacant Cleveland Court house earlier this week, according to Conneaut Municipal Court records.
-
Conneaut Middle School’s Goodwill drive big success
Students and staff at Conneaut Middle School responded in a big way to a plea for donations issued late last month by Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula.
-
ACMC teams up with Goodwill on Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, area residents are encouraged to show their love by cleaning out their closets and heading over to Ashtabula County Medical Center.
-
Presses stopped: Updated with video
It was June 23, 1969.
-
Murder suspect kills self at mother’s grave
Madison Township police officers found the body of a murder suspect in the Alexander Harper Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, ending a day-long, multi-county manhunt.
-
Commissioners pay to get the business
Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $15,000 contract with Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County to provide business service representation on behalf of the county’s One-Stop job training center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
