City directors want new boss by March; may not use search firm

Three Fort Smith city directors hope to have a new city administrator hired by March, and without the assistance and expense of an executive search consultant.

The directors fired then City Administrator Dennis Kelly on Nov. 2. Kelly, who began the job in October 2008, was dismissed effective immediately. Deputy City Administrator Ray Gosack was named the acting city administrator.

An executive search firm was used to hire Kelly, and several board members at the time made it clear that internal candidates would not be considered. The next search is likely to be different.

City Director George Catsavis said the city should do its own advertising and let the board pick 5-7 applicants and interview them.

“I just hate to throw away $20,000 or $30,000 when the board can do that,” Catsavis said.

City Directors Andre Good and Kevin Settle agreed, with Settle saying he has “faith in our HR department to handle locating candidates.”

Settle suggested the board narrow a field of candidates to 5 to 10 for video interviewing, and then bring in the top 2-3 for final interviews and a tour of the city.

Also, Catsavis, Good and Settle say they are not opposed to considering internal candidates, and would also consider a person with more executive business experience  than executive government experience.

“I think our candidate would have to possess both business and governmental experience. But no, I am not opposed to hiring someone with more business experience than government,” Good noted in an e-mail interview.

Catsavis and Good said they hoped to have an administrator hired no later than March, with Settle saying he expects to have someone on board no later than April.

City Director Gary Campbell reminded in an e-mail note that the past three city administrator hirings was a 6- to 8-month process.

“One point that should not be overlooked is that during the past three transitions, the basic city services have continued without fail, thanks to very good department heads led by a very stable and dependable Deputy Administrator. I would expect no less during this all important transition,” Campbell noted.

And according to this report in the Times Record, the board may again reconsider the controversial subject of giving the city administrator direct hire-fire authority.

Presently, city code places the decision to hire and fire city department heads with the Fort Smith Board of Directors.

Former City Administrator Dennis Kelly attempted to change the policy in August 2009, but was forced to give up the effort when five of the board’s seven directors said they would oppose it.

“The city administrator’s position is such that (the current hire/fire policies) are extraordinarily antiquated and cumbersome and do not lend themselves to efficiency of operations within the organization,” Kelly noted in the opening memo of the Organization Analysis he issued in mid-2009.

The Times Record article indicates that Catsavis and City Director-elect Philip Merry Jr. are open to revisiting the issue.

The previous city administrator was paid an annual salary of $145,000, with a $450 monthly car allowance and health and retirement benefits.