Council to consider search firm for city manager

FORT MADISON – A consulting firm that includes a former Fort Madison official is asking for $14,000 to help the city find its next city manager.
The Fort Madison City Council will consider the move at its regular meeting Tuesday and the bid for the work comes from Hinson Consulting LLC of Mason City.
Officials are looking to replace former City Manager David Varley who resigned in May after nine years of service. The city has been running without a city manager since that time with Finance Director Peggy Steffensmeier handling the day-to-day finances and other department heads picking up the duties.
Hinson is owned by Brett Hinson, a former Mason City official who also worked as Washington, Iowa’s city administrator. The team also includes Pat Callahan who served as a city planner in Fort Madison before being hired as City Administrator in West Point.
The contract calls for creating a profile for the position, advertising, reviewing applications, conducting credit and criminal background checks, reference checks, negotiations, and preparations for final council interviews.
The cost of the contract is not to exceed $14,250. An original bid from Hinson was sent in April, but the company pared that down due to work already completed by Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Association Executive Director Mike Norris.
“We believe based on the work you have already performed and our good working relationship with (and high regard for) Mike Norris and SEIRPC that we can largely coordinate our portions of this process from afar, and only conduct two in-person visits during the process (for candidate narrowing and for in-person interviews), as opposed to our usual 4-5. We believe by making these scope adjustments, we will help to provide maximum value at a reduced cost to the City and make the best use of the process you have already done,” Hinson wrote in his proposal to the city.
Also on the agenda is a presentation from Fort Madison Fire Chief Joey Herren and Public Works Director Mark Bousselot regarding proposed new buildings for the city’s fire department and public works department.
The city has been looking at options to replace both outdated facilities for several years. The current plans involve new construction.
The second reading of an ordinance revamping city code for the process of cataloging items purchased by pawn brokers, resalers, scrap metal yards, and others engaged in reselling property will also be on the agenda.