Committee directs staff to return 4–5 executive‑search firms (exclude MGT) after cooperative‑purchasing review

Assistant Human Resources Director Tommy Mollus and staff briefed the committee on a cooperative‑purchasing review of executive‑search providers. The HR team said it contacted four cooperative programs and identified 15 search firms that could provide executive‑search services; nine firms had confirmed interest as of the memo’s submission.

Committee members asked how staff would narrow the list and whether specific firms were specialized for certain roles (engineering, legal, health, etc.). HR responded that it would use prior experience and firms’ past portfolios to recommend a short list. Committee members expressed a preference to see 4–5 finalists for interviews; several members asked that MGT, the firm used in a recent inspector‑general search that committee members viewed as flawed, be excluded from the short list. The city manager’s office and HR agreed to return with a 4–5 firm shortlist and to arrange committee interviews of the finalists.

Staff said they would evaluate firms on prior portfolio work and responsiveness to cooperative agreements. The committee’s guidance was to prioritize a fair but expedited process to fill the inspector‑general position and other senior searches as needed.

No formal procurement award was made at the briefing; staff will return with a short list and next steps for interviews.