10. Update - City Manager SelectionMEMO
To: Mayor & City Council
From: Al Thelen, Interim City Manager
Date: January 29, 1999
Re.: City Manager Recruitment Package
The three City Manager finalists that you discussed last week have all been contacted and are all
available and interested in the position. All three are active applicants for other positions so you need
to act in a timely manner.
I have prepared a summary of the wage and benefit packages that you can consider. If there is an
item on this list that you do not support, we need to discuss and modify as well as add items as you
deem appropriate.
1. Salary Range $55,000/$70,000
The City currently has department heads making up to $53,000 annually and this
needs to be considered when you make an offer to a new City Manager candidate.
2. The City Manager should receive the same fringe benefits that other employees receive, such
as a health plan, social security, vacation, sick leave, etc. The manager should be advanced
a week's vacation and sick leave, and he should be able to take his retirement contribution by
you (6.9% of salary) to a potable retirement program or use the State's system.
3. A car allowance similar to what you provided your previous manager should be offered ($400
a month for the last City Manager).
4. The City would pay costs of moving the manager and his personal property to Kalispell. (We
should require three bids for this and it could cost from $3,000-$5,000.)
Post Office Box 1997 • Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
Telephone (406) 758-7700 • FAX (406) 758-7758
Mayor and City Council
Page 2
January 29, 1999
5. The City should invite and pay the costs for the candidates to bring their spouse to the
interview.
6. The City should agree to pay the costs of a membership in I.C.M.A. and the Montana
Municipal League subject to the availability of funds in the budget.
7. The City should provide four months severance if the new manager is terminated by the
Council and the manager should provide 60 days notice if they decide to vacate the position.
The social event that you sponsored in December should be repeated subject to any changes that you
feel are important. This type of an event gives the manager candidates an opportunity to obtain a
"feel" for the community.
It is imperative that all members be available for the date the interviews take place so picking a date
is important and allowing 14 days notice for airfare tickets will save the City some money.
The Mayor and Council needs to decide which candidates to invite to Kalispell.