National search, public input could be part of effort to hire Fort Smith city administrator

Most of the Fort Smith city directors who responded to questions about the search for a city administrator are open to using an executive search firm, and most also hope to have a city administrator hired within 6 months, if not sooner.

With a unanimous 7-0 vote, the Fort Smith Board of Directors on Dec. 10 fired City Administrator Carl Geffken, who had been in the job more than eight years. Geffken was hired to be the Fort Smith city administrator in March 2016 with a salary of $175,000. His annual salary when he was fired was $204,513.

Since Geffken’s firing there has been little information from the city about the search for a new administrator. Talk Business & Politics on May 22 sent all seven city directors six questions about the process, or lack thereof, to hire a city administrator. All directors except Christina Catsavis and George Catsavis responded.

Director Neal Martin said his priority is to find the best candidate for the city’s top job.

“This role is critical to our success and we want to make sure the best candidate is available, regardless of where they are from. If that requires a national search, then we will do that,” he noted.

Director Kevin Settle, the longest serving member of the board, also prefers to use a search firm to conduct a nationwide search. Settle does not have a preference for whether a person is hired from outside the city or if the person hired now works for the city.

“I want to hire the best person for the city of Fort Smith that will keep the momentum of our city moving forward. We have a lot of great things going on with our city and we need to keep it moving forward,” he wrote.

INTERNAL, EXTERNAL CANDIDATE
Director André Good does not believe a search firm is necessary, and prefers “hiring a qualified candidate now employed by the city.” Good, in his response, spoke favorably of Acting City Administrator Jeff Dingman.

“I believe he’s (Dingman) proven himself. He has the ability and passion, background. He holds a law degree (JD) and a Masters of Public Administration (MPA), he maintains the needed institutional knowledge as well as a good working relationship with staff and city leaders,” Good noted.

Director Lee Kemp, the newest member of the board, also is open to any candidate – internal or external – and believes the board’s obligation is that the community is confident in who is hired.

“At this point, all options should remain open – whether that’s conducting a national search, focusing regionally, or considering internal candidates,” Kemp noted. “We may determine that someone already serving the city, such as Jeff Dingman, is the right fit. My priority is that we go through a fair and diligent process that gives us the confidence – and gives the public the confidence – that we’ve evaluated all viable possibilities to find the best person to lead Fort Smith.”

As to a preferred timeline to hire an administrator, Martin said the “sooner, the better.” Kemp said he’d like a decision within 4 months, and Good said the time is “now.” Settle suggested a decision should happen within 6 months.

PUBLIC INPUT
Directors Good, Kemp, Martin and Settle said they are open to having a short list of candidates – if it comes to that – being part of community engagement sessions similar to the process used by the University of Arkansas System to hire Dr. Terisa Riley as chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

“Taking the talents of those around the city to assist in identifying the best candidate would be beneficial to this process,” Martin noted. “We have so many talented leaders in our area that can speak into this process that it would be an added benefit to the Board.”

Following are the responses from Directors Good, Kemp, and Martin to the question: What attribute or attributes about Fort Smith do you believe would or should attract quality candidates for the city’s top job?

Good: “I believe Fort Smith has many qualities that could attract well qualified candidates. Low cost of living, great people, great health and educational facilities, knowledgeable city staff, growth, promising economic opportunities, and more. But, we also have our share of challenges. ”

Kemp: “Fort Smith offers a unique mix of opportunities: a diverse economy, a major regional presence, and a community that’s deeply invested in its future. We’re not a blank slate – we’re a city with momentum, challenges, and the potential for strong civic impact. A good candidate will see that as energizing.”

Martin: “We are on the cusp of seeing significant growth in the city. With the FMS mission and the opportunities surrounding that, I think it is an exciting time to be a part of the next phase of growth in our city. The F35 mission itself offers significant growth, but also the ancillary business that will come along with it (Lockheed Martin, etc) will aid in the growth of the city.”

Fort Smith Director and Vice Mayor Jarred Rego did not directly address all six questions, but broadly responded with a note suggesting that city officials and residents may want to first consider the “structure” by which they wish to be governed.

“Any questions about process and procedure (in hiring a city administrator) are window dressing around the central topic of how we wish to govern ourselves,” Rego noted.