The city of Hermiston is moving closer to selecting a new city manager.
In a special meeting Tuesday evening, the city council voted to approve the top five candidates recommended by Greg Prothman, who was hired by the city to recruit and scrutinize potential candidates to replace Ed Brookshier, who is retiring at the end of the year – if not before.
It’s possible, if the city hires his replacement within the next four to six weeks, Brookshier could step down before his contract expires. Brookshier discussed with the council the possibility of staying on for a period of time to help the new city manager during a transition period.
Mayor Dave Drotzmann appointed himself and councilors George Anderson and John Kirwan to a committee to work out the details of Brookshier’s role during the transition period. That committee will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, May 27.
During Tuesday’s special meeting, the council met with Prothman in executive session for about 90 minutes to go over the candidates to succeed Brookshier. Following the closed session, the council voted unanimously to approve Prothman’s recommended top five candidates.
Those five candidates, whose names will likely be released to the public later this week, will be flown in next month for two days for a series of interviews with the council. The council voted to pay for airfare, two nights in a motel and a rental car for two days for each candidate and their spouse.
“This is exciting,” said Drotzmann. “I know the public is eager to see progress toward hiring a new city manager.” The mayor said he is optimistic the city will find a successor to Brookshier from the five final candidates.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council voted to retain attorney Chad Jacobs to assist the city in its effort to modernize the city charter at a cost not to exceed $21,500.
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