The Washington City Council launched its search for a new city administrator at a special meeting Monday.
The overriding theme of a recruitment kickoff meeting with consultants Jim Arndt and Scott Smith from Charleston-based Arndt Municipal Support was finding a city administrator who will close a revolving door that has been opened several times in past years by predecessors.
The person hired to oversee the city's day-to-day operations will be Washington's sixth city administrator since 2015. Tim Gleason, Richard Downey, Jim Culotta, Ray Forsythe and Jim Snider held that role in the past decade.
City Engineer Dennis Carr was named the interim city administrator in May by newly elected Mayor Lilija Stevens. Carr is continuing as the city engineer.
Arndt said he's already gotten phone calls from prospective candidates who learned about the open position through social media posts.
"Some have asked about the stability of the position," he said.
In addition to answering several questions from Arndt about what to include in the city administrator job offer, council members discussed the proposed creation of a deputy city administrator position, which could be on a council meeting agenda as early next Monday.
This would not be a new position. Only current department heads could apply. The selected candidate would add the additional responsibilities to his or her duties.
The deputy city administrator would fill in when the city administrator isn't available.
If the city administrator steps down, the deputy city administrator would become the acting city administrator, and be the presumptive permanent city administrator, subject to the mayor's recommendation and council's approval.
City code currently dictates that the mayor becomes the acting city administrator if the city administrator leaves.
Having a deputy city administrator on board at City Hall was applauded by Carr and every council member at the meeting.
"Things can stall or not be pushed when the mayor steps in," Carr said. "Plus, there's a lack of checks and balances."
"This position would have benefited the city over the past decade," said Alderperson Brandon Moss.
"It would have been great to have a deputy city administrator when Jim Snider left," said Alderperson Jamie Smith.
City Attorney Mark Walton said even though the position is called deputy city administrator, "I look at it as a back-up position for the city administrator, and one that provides continuity and succession. Someone who is ready to step in."
Arndt said he's aware of several communities Washington's size that have a deputy city administrator.
Snider resigned in August 2024 after starting the job in December 2021. Under the terms of his separation agreement, he was placed on administrative leave from Aug. 30 through Feb. 3 while getting his regular salary and benefits plus $100, and he received a lump sum of $38,579 on Feb. 3.
The agreement received pushback from many community members, and was an issue in the campaign leading up to the April city election.
The proposed timeline for selecting a new Washington city administrator includes a Nov. 3 application deadline, on-site interviews Dec. 3 and 4, a council decision Dec. 4, an offer made Dec. 5, and the city administrator's first day of work Jan. 5.
Arndt said he anticipates about 50-60 applicants. Council decided on a base salary rate of $160,000-$180,000. Snider would have been in that range next year.
"That's a strong rate. It will generate a lot of interest," Arndt said.
Severance pay if the city administrator leaves without cause will be negotiable, there will be a city residency requirement, and $10,000 will be provided for moving expenses if needed.
Ardnt is being paid $19,500 for his work. He's being assisted by what he termed "Team Washington," which includes Stevens, human relations manager Maureen Chambers and communications specialist Amanda Roberts.
