Amador County – Ione’s search for a new city manager drew 90 applications and counting as the deadline to apply neared.

At 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, the window was to close on further applicants, and Interim City Manager Jeff Butzlaff said Thursday they had 90 applications in hand showing a diverse interest in the position. The Council last week decided to each bring one or two names of locals that they would like to appoint to a City Manager Selection Committee. On Tuesday, May 1, the Council will consider appointing the recommended appointees.

Butzlaff said because of the nature of the selection, and the transparency issue, he wanted the Council to know this was another opportunity for community involvement through the appointments. Council members will bring two names each to recommend to be appointed to the selection committee. He said the committee will be a little larger than what you would normally have, but he wanted a wider public input.

He said this is the initial screening process, an early phase, and a lot of work remains. He said: “The good news is we got 90 applications,” and “the bad news is we got 90 applications.” The Selection committee will consist of the five City Council members and their appointees, totaling up to 15 people.

Applications came from Oregon, Florida, New England, the Midwest and even some locally. He said some of this is driven by advertising, which included listings on the International City Manager’s Association’s online newsletter; in another big source called Jobs Available, an online Nationally and West-Coast Oriented site; and on Linked-In jobs available. They also advertised in the local paper and in Sacramento Bee’s Career Builder.

Some citizens are apprehensive about getting another city manager. He was sorry about that and tried to bring applications from multiple backgrounds and a broad array of experience.

The advertisement geared the qualifications and personal attributes to get a wide variety of managers from the public and private sector. Experience was required for five years of management in public or private sectors. It sought people with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, though a master’s degree was highly desirable.

He said it was the same dialog you hear about presidential candidates, that they should be the best person for the job.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.