City manager seeks extension while commission plans a phased succession search

City manager Max Royal told the commission he was willing to remain through a longer transition period and recommended extending his contract beyond the June expiration to provide continuity while the commission conducts a careful search and succession planning process.

"I would appreciate an extension from June to the end of this calendar year in writing," Max said, asking time for the commission to consider options and for staff to prepare candidate-search materials. Commissioners debated multiple approaches: a six-month extension, an extension to the end of the fiscal year, a one-year extension, or an 18–24 month option. Several members favored a limited extension tied to concrete next steps and a monthly agenda item tracking progress.

Discussion covered whether to hire a temporary assistant city manager as an overlap and training vehicle (and whether that position should be permanent), the budget implications of overlapping salaries, whether residency requirements in the charter should be relaxed to widen the recruitment pool, and using a consultant or citizen committee for the search. Public commenters urged longer transition time given institutional knowledge held by Max.

Outcome: No final vote was taken. Commissioners asked staff to return next month with a timeline and options; several commissioners expressed support for an extension through at least the end of the calendar year or through the fiscal year while the recruitment process proceeds.

Next steps: commissioners asked for monthly updates and directed staff to prepare RFQ/RFP drafts and a proposed timeline for recruitment and potential transition.