The City Council approved a contract with the Mercer Group, Inc. in June, 2017 to recruit a replacement for retiring City Administrator Tina Volek.  During the November 4, 2017, work session, Council directed staff to contact the Mercer Group and discuss with them some options for completing the project. There are two options: 1) complete the contract with one of the company's senior vice presidents as the company representative for the Billings search; or 2) terminate the contract and pay the full contract fee of $15,000 and any unpaid travel expenses incurred to date. The second option would require the Councilmembers and City staff to finish the work of background investigations, reference checking, employment verification, etc.

City Council may:

1. Complete the executive search process with the Mercer Group, with Mr. W. D. Higgenbotham, as the project manager; or
2. Terminate the contract with the Mercer Group, pay the remainder of the contract fee and direct staff to work with the Council to complete the recruitment. 

The FY 2017 budget included $20,500 for the recruiter. The funds were encumbered because the contract was signed in June (FY17) and carried forward to the FY 2018 budget. That amount will cover the $15,000 contract cost and out-of-pocket travel expenses. There is an additional $10,000 in the FY18 budget for recruiting expenses such as travel costs for finalist candidates and relocation expenses.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve W. D. Higginbotham as the Mercer Group project manager and complete the City Administrator recruitment.