A promising, but secret hire

By The Gazette Editorial Board

Early returns on Cedar Rapids' new city manager indicate that the city hit a home run. The downside is that the deal with Jeff Pomeranz essentially was sewn up with nary a public meeting or hearing.

Pomeranz has been one of Iowa's government stars after becoming city manager at West Des Moines 12 years ago. He has overseen a prosperous community whose population has soared 36 percent during his tenure. He brings a reputation as a leader who relishes challenges, isn't averse to risk and is adept at building relationships. He understands Iowa and national politics.

He looks like an excellent hire.

It was Monica Vernon's “impatience” and persistence that got his attention. Impatience in that Vernon, as chair of the city council's search committee, said at the start that using a firm to conduct a national search could take “forever and ever.” She was among those hoping to quickly find a talented candidate closer to home.

Feelers to talented city administrators in Coralville and Dubuque yielded nothing. Then bids from search firms were collected but Vernon's persistence in contacting Pomeranz and connecting him with other council members bore fruit first. All nine are reportedly on board. Great work.

Yet all of it remained secret until the deal was announced Tuesday. That's wrong.

Initial secrecy in the search process is necessary. But this hunt was to fill the highest-paid public position in the city. Taxpayers, who will pay Pomeranz a $225,000 salary, are owed the opportunity to provide feedback on finalists for such a vital public leadership job before the deal is done. And in this case, there was only one finalist.

The mayor and committee rightly wanted someone who can help Cedar Rapids continue and step up its economic recovery from the flood of 2008. Pomeranz's credentials weigh in his favor.

His West Des Moines administration repeatedly was named the area's “Best City Government Conducive to Business” by the Des Moines Business Record publication. He helped attract billions in new business. He chairs the state I-Jobs board (which has provided major financial assistance to Cedar Rapids' flood recovery projects).

Still, Pomeranz must transition from overseeing a suburb of 55,000 to a high-pressure role in Iowa's second largest city. And will his leadership style mesh with Corbett, who has turned the mayor's chair into a fast-moving, get-it-done vehicle?

No one can predict with certainty. However, Pomeranz appears well qualified for the task, and we look forward to his arrival. Too bad the search process snubbed the public at the end.