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Council Approves Hiring Manager Search Firm
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Riverbank City Council members have decided to hire a search company to find a replacement for City Manager Rich Holmer who was released on June 8 after serving as city manager for 15 years.

Interim City Manager Pam Carder made the recommendation on July 11, estimating hiring a search team would cost $20,000 to 30,000.

While Riverbank has excellent staff that are skilled at recruiting for most of the city hall jobs, she said, recruitment of a city manager usually requires casting a wider net for candidates than is easily within the reach of the city. City managers frequently move long distances to take on new jobs. This doesn't happen nearly as often with other city jobs.

In addition, an executive search firm would help the council define what it is looking for in a new city manager. This could be especially helpful when replacing one who served as long as Holmer.

Carder said she plans to have a list of potential firms available for council to consider at the Aug. 22 meeting.

Several council members commented that despite the substantial cost to the city it was a necessary expense in view of the importance of finding the right city manager.

The council placed Holmer on paid leave on March 30. He was let go in June. Carder is a retired government employee who has contracted to work part time as interim city manager until a fulltime, permanent manager is hired.

In another item of new business, council waived the fee for use of the Riverbank Community Center on Friday, July 29, when the Chamber of Commerce will host "Lunch with the Mayor" from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A letter from event coordinator Chris Elswick noted that by holding the luncheon at the center, the chamber would be able to invite more people to attend and hear her address.

This is a fundraiser for the chamber that will charge $15 a ticket. Tickets are available from City Hall, Designs by Karen or Belleza Yari's Salon & Spa that are all located on Santa Fe Street in the downtown area. Residents are encouraged to support the event by sponsoring a $100 table. For more information, call Elswick at 679-8375.

Mayor Virginia Madueno has said she will speak on city issues of general interest to the community.