Clearlake council authorizes up to $30,000 to hire executive recruitment firm for finance director search

The Clearlake City Council voted to authorize the city manager to select and hire an executive recruitment firm and to spend up to $30,000 to support the search for a new finance director.

Staff member Mister Flora told the council the finance director is leaving for another position and that the typical cost for an executive search "is a little bit over 25,000," which is within his spending authority but might require council authorization to proceed without delay. Flora said the city had identified potential local candidates but requested authority to retain a search firm if a suitable local hire was not found.

An unidentified council member moved "to authorize the city manager to select and hire from an executive recruitment firm and authorize him to spend up to $30,000." The motion was seconded. After brief public comment noting local candidates could obviate the need for a search firm, the council conducted a roll-call vote. Council Member Claffey, Council Member Overton, Council Member Kramer, Vice Mayor Purdock and Mayor Slotin each recorded their vote in favor, and the authorization passed.

Councilors asked whether the position could be filled by a remote or hybrid candidate; Flora said the city prefers an on‑site presence for long‑term management but is open to considering different arrangements where appropriate. Council Member Overton said the position needs to be filled promptly and that she did not want to burden the police chief with the role again.

The action authorizes the city manager to proceed with a recruitment firm if needed and to expend up to $30,000; if the manager identifies a satisfactory local candidate, staff said the city would not retain the consultant and would instead hire locally.

Next steps: the city manager will pursue recruitment options and report back to the council with hiring progress.