It’s only been a few days since the majority of Bridgeport City Council voted not to renew the contract of long-time City Manager Kim Haws. However, the process of finding what will be the third city manager in the municipality’s history is ready to begin.

 

Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang said he plans on forming a committee of Council members to get the process started. He anticipated three members to be on the committee to kick things off - and he's asked two members already, but has yet to get confirmation.

 

“The committee’s purpose will be to look at the process that will be taken, or several processes, in selecting the next city manager,” said Lang. “I imagine it will be discussed at the next Council meeting where we can look at the recommendations. Certainly, it wouldn’t be fair to determine the process we’re going to take without having the input of the entire Council.”

 

Haws said the process will focus on fine points and major ones. He said it could include issues such as how applications will be taken, how the job will be advertised, deadlines of submission and wording on requirements sought for the ideal candidate.

 

“I’m confident will have a decision covering all of those items based on the input of the full Council,” said Lang.

 

Lang said one thing he’s fairly certain of is that the search for a new city lead administrator will be national in scope. He said that’s standard for positions of this nature and much easier than it was years ago.

 

“With modern technology, I’m sure it will be a national search because there are organizations out there that will search for you. There are Web sites and professions job site and I’m sure we’ll look into the best way to get the word out,” said Lang.

 

Lang wanted to be clear about one thing. He said by going to a likely national search doesn’t mean locals are excluded.

 

“The next city manager could be sitting in California or they could be sitting here in Harrison County. We definitely don’t want to discourage anyone locally, but it’s our intent and duty to look close and far,” said Lang. “Mr. Haws was not local and he came to Bridgeport.”

 

Ideally, Lang said he would prefer the person be available before Haws’ contract expires June 30. He said seeing what is done by Haws could be a bonus.

 

“That would be ideal, but when you’re talking about a five-year contract in most situations you want the right hire as opposed to rushing the person in here,” said Lang.

 

Lang said he imagines it’s paramount to have someone who understands police and fire, community services, public works and infrastructure. He said someone familiar with something, such as the ongoing Bridgeport Indoor Recreation Complex, would be a bonus.

 

“This is a wide ranging job that encompasses a lot of areas. Keeping your community safe is first and then you just add to the list … It’s all important and you want a person who will be focused on improving the quality of life for the residents of Bridgeport,” said Lang.

 

Haws has been city manager since 1999. He replaced the first-ever city manager, the late Harold Weiler, who retired after helping lead the transition away from the strong-mayor format of municipal government.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Mayor Andy Lang, while City Manager Kim Haws is shown below.