Homewood lays out city manager search: 40 resumes received, council debates ICMA preference and application window

City of Homewood HR Director Kim Kinder told the pre-council meeting that the city manager position was posted Dec. 19 and that, as of the meeting, 40 resumes had been received and were being screened.

Kinder reviewed minimum qualifications in the posting (bachelor's degree in a related field, preferred master's degree, and at least five years of local-government professional experience) and said the posting and resume packet are being circulated to council members. She said the job announcement is posted on the Personnel Board website, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) site and the Alabama League of Municipalities site.

Councilors and residents asked whether ICMA certification should be required; several councilors and commenters said ICMA certification and strong city-management experience were the ideal, while staff recommended keeping minimum qualifications flexible and using preferred qualifications or interview-stage screening to identify ICMA-certified candidates. A resident asked whether the deadline could be extended because the posting went live Dec. 23 in some outlets and the application window felt short; staff noted legal limits related to the interim city manager's expiration but said there would be time for interviewing phases.

The council agreed to move the resolution establishing interview procedures to the council meeting for vote that evening. No final hiring decision was made during the pre-council meeting; next steps include screening resumes, interview scheduling and council consideration per the posted procedures.