The City Council conducted interviews for a new City Administrator on November 30, 2017.  At its December 1 special meeting, the Council unanimously chose Great Falls City Manager Greg Doyon as the next Billings City Administrator. The Council hired local attorney, Thomas Singer, to prepare an employment agreement and W.D. Higginbotham from the Mercer Group to negotiate  the agreement's contents.  Councilmembers Brewster, Cimmino, Friedel and Clark and Mayor Hanel are members of the City Administrator recruiting subcommittee that will make its recommendations to the City Council.  The subcommittee met on December 11, so the members' recommendations were not available when this report was prepared.  If there is a tentatively approved agreement before the December 18 Council meeting, staff will send it to Councilmembers as soon as it is available.  If the parties are unable to agree on the contract, Council should provide additional guidance on how it wants to conclude the appointment process.    

City Council may approve, request changes to or disapprove the employment agreement.  Any changes will require Mr. Doyon's approval.  If it disapproves the agreement, the City Council should provide additional guidance for staff and its consultants on how it wants to proceed with the hiring process.     

The agreement will contain salary and benefits, relocation allowance, severance pay and other matters such as an  annual performance review with any associated salary increases. The FY 2017 budget is sufficient to fund the proposed agreement.

The City Council recruiting subcommittee recommends that the City Council approve a City Administrator Employment Agreement.