Sentinel staff report–
A pair of closed session meetings relating to the appointment of a new city manager will be held on Friday and Saturday this week, according to agendas posted Wednesday afternoon on the city’s website.
As the meetings deal with employment, the meetings will not be open to the public and posted agendas only include a bare minimum description of the meeting topic: “PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT” and “Title: City Manager.”
The description also references Government Code Section 54957(b), which allows for holding closed sessions “during a regular or special meeting to consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, discipline, or dismissal of a public employee or to hear complaints or charges brought against the employee by another person or employee unless the employee requests a public session.”
The city manager’s office and Councilman Steve Miller did not immediately respond to a request on Thursday morning seeking more information about the meetings, and an updated timeline for the appointment process, but Councilman Bret Daniels told The Sentinel the meetings are being held to interview city manager candidates. He said a final decision is expected within “a couple of weeks.”
A list of potential candidates being considered has not been posted by the city, but a job posting for the position was published on the city website in September.
The job posting said the city is willing to pay a base salary up to $260,000, along with a “competitive benefits package.” The posting described the job as including heading a staff of 210 full-time employees and directing a budget of more than $70 million.
Qualifications for the position include holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in public administration, business administration, political science, or a related field, although wording appeared to indicate that qualifications listed are not requirements. Holding a master’s degree in public administration or equivalent is also listed as “highly desirable.”
Citrus Heights posts job listing in search for new city manager
The city has been without a permanent city manager since May when Christopher Boyd publicly announced his retirement from his position as the top executive tasked with running the city. He subsequently was hired on by the city as interim manager, serving until a replacement is made.
“For quite a while now, I have been contemplating my next chapter,” said Boyd in announcing retirement earlier this year. “After 31 years of public service, I have decided it is time for me to focus on my family, so that my wife and I can enjoy the few short years we have left with our teenage sons before they are grown.”
From May: Citrus Heights city manager announces retirement
Boyd served as the original chief of police for the Citrus Heights Police Department, later replacing former City Manager Henry Tingle in 2016 upon Tingle’s retirement. Accomplishments listed by the city during Boyd’s term include undertaking “sizeable economic development projects including the Sunrise Mall Specific Plan, pushed forward revitalization efforts of the Auburn Blvd. corridor which was recently awarded $9 million in grant funding, realigned staffing for significant cost-savings, and more.”
