City council debates search for city manager

Cedar Rapids City Council is debating how to find a new city manager. Options include hiring a consulting firm or doing the search locally using city staff. Council members Kris Gulick and Chuck Wieneke said they were in favor of using a search firm.

Council members Don Karr, Chuck Swore, Pat Shey and Tom Podzimek wanted to keep it local. Swore said Prosser's replacement could already work in the area. He'd like to have the council/city search independently before turning to a search firm.

Council member Justin Shields said he was undecided at this point. Council member Monica Vernon did not express an opinion. Mayor Ron Corbett said he was torn on the issue, but wanted to get input from city employees about what type of manager they would like to see.

The council used a search firm to hire former City Manager Jim Prosser. The firm charged the city $18,000.

A group of council members will meet tomorrow (Wednesday) to talk more about the search process and the job description for the next city manager.