Beck replacement process under way

The Columbia City Council asked city staff Monday night to begin the process of soliciting consultant agencies that specialize in hiring city managers.

The council is likely to approve a request for agencies’ bids at the July 5 City Council meeting, taking it one step closer to filling the position.

Mayor Darwin Hindman said he prefers to have an external service conduct the search rather than city employees essentially “hiring their boss.”

He estimates the council will entertain bids from between three and five consulting firms, but the council said that first it must determine the level of service desired.

Hindman added that a consultant provides capability for an effective nationwide search that can turn up candidates otherwise overlooked.

Beck provided a timetable for hiring his replacement and anticipates a hire by early January.

The city has yet to consider hiring an interim city manager. Hindman said the council is operating on the assumption that it will find someone despite the job’s demanding nature.

Hindman said a prerequisite for the city manager job is experience in an assistant managerial position.

“We ask a lot of whoever takes this job,” he said. “We’re looking for someone with knowledge of comprehensive planning and adequate foresight.”