City of Asheville invites resident input for city manager search

Press release from the City of Asheville:

From Steve Jobs to Steven Spielberg, organizational success begins with strong leadership. As the City of Asheville embarks on a mission to hire a new City Manager, City Council wants to ask you — Asheville residents — what qualities you think are important for the next person in this role.

Qualities identified by the community will help form the profile for the ideal candidate. This profile will be used in the nationwide recruitment effort. Acting as a magnet that attracts a specific candidate, the profile is one of the most important pieces in finding the candidate best fit for Asheville. The profile determines the pool of candidates from which City Council will choose.

This month, the City will launch a public process, asking about the qualities and the qualifications you think are important for the City’s top job. Public input will be taken through community meetings and a survey available online and at recreation and community centers.

There is a page on the City’s website with information about the City manager search. Visit this link.

“Our goal is to be inclusive and transparent in the search for a city manager,” said Mayor Esther Manheimer. “I encourage all who would like to provide input and to participate as we begin the City Manager search. Council’s commitment to finding the most qualified candidate to serve our residents and City cannot be fulfilled without community participation.”

Public meetings
The public meetings will be held throughout the City at various times. Child care will be provided for ages 5 and above. Interpretive services will also be available.
Here’s the schedule:

• South meeting: May 10 at the Skyland Fire Department, 9 Miller Road South, with two sessions, one from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and another from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Downtown meeting: 10 to 11:30 a.m. May 19 in Room A109 at the City’s Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte St.

Survey
In addition to the meetings, residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on Open City Hall Asheville, our online survey tool. The City Manager search survey will be available May 10 and remain open through May 30. It can be taken online at a desktop or on a mobile device. Paper copies of the survey will be placed at the community and recreation centers, as well as at the Asheville Housing Authority. We want to hear from everybody, especially people who do not traditionally get involved!

Hotline
The City has opened a hotline where people can leave their comments as well. The number to call is 828-259-5900.

The hiring process
In addition to public meetings, there will be input opportunities for City staff. Keep checking the City of Asheville website under the “City Projects” button for updates along the way.

Once the candidates have been narrowed down, residents will be able to meet the finalists, hear their presentations, and talk with them face-to-face. Input from comment cards following the finalists meet-and-greet will be taken into consideration for the final selection.

“This is a critical role for the City of Asheville,” Manheimer said. “Council is committed to finding the most qualified candidate to serve our residents and City staff.”

Remember, your input will help inform the process. We look forward to your participation in the City Manager search process!

A copy of this press release is available on Asheville City Source. For more information, contact Polly McDaniel at PMcDaniel@ashevillenc.gov or 828-232-4507.