Council engages GMP for City Administrator recruitment; 13-week timeline proposed

College Place on July 22, 2025 received a presentation from contracted recruitment firm GMP (represented by Dave Zabel, Kate Hanson and Jen Montevious) outlining the search process to replace the retiring city administrator. GMP proposed a nationwide recruitment, stakeholder interviews, a profile-development period and a three-stage review leading to finalists and an anticipated hire in approximately 13 weeks if schedules align.

"We would have a work session with your council, and he would present those, what we call semifinalist, candidates," said Jen (project manager), describing the process for council review. Dave Zabel described his prescreening approach as intentionally broad: "I have a pretty wide gate to get through that. I'm pretty open minded on who gets through the the, first part of it, and I try to narrow that up quite a bit when I interview them."

Council members asked about timeline feasibility and logistics for finalist interviews and travel. GMP confirmed it is industry practice to cover travel and hotel for out-of-area finalists and said the 13-week schedule is achievable but may slip depending on scheduling of stakeholder interviews, council work sessions and finalist availability. Council agreed to provide a profile checklist, availability and a stakeholder list (recommended 8'20 names) to begin stakeholder interviews immediately. GMP will prepare draft profile materials and a firm schedule to return to council for approval.

No vote was required; the council signaled support for proceeding with GMP'led recruitment and staff will coordinate the profile checklist and interview list.