Moore added to administrator search committee

WASHINGTON — City Council members amended a resolution establishing its city administrator search committee at its regular meeting Tuesday night, adding council member Elaine Moore to the group that will play a substantial roll selecting the replacement for outgoing City Administrator Brent Hinson, whose last day with the city is Aug. 6.

Mayor Jaron Rosien said Moore had expressed her interest since the group’s creation.

“When we created that group, we kind of went back and forth on having one councilor or two councilors,” he said. “Elaine has expressed interest, has spoken with everyone in the group, and really wants to be involved in the group.”

Rosien said that while he wanted to maximize the number of people involved, a small group size would be key to streamlining.

“I know everybody wants to be involved in that group,” he said. “But then it gets messy because if we have too many we have open meeting laws and quorum.”

The committee already included Rosien, council member Illa Earnest, Financial Director Kelsey Brown, City Clerk Sally Hart and Police Chief Jim Lester.

Moore said she would bring a unique perspective to the table.

“Through my over 20 years working with the public here in town, I worked a lot with … private individuals,” she said. “So we’d have a feel of what private individuals would like to see in the city administrator communication and so forth.”

All council members except Fran Stigers, who was absent, voted to confirm Moore’s addition to the team.

A timetable from hiring consultant Elizabeth Hansen puts the start date of a new administrator in late October or early November, assuming minimal delays. The committee has until then to narrow the field to 10 or fewer candidates for council consideration, a group that the council will trim to three to five before reaching a final decision.

Hinson, attending his last council meeting remotely, bid the city farewell from Mason City.

“I don’t know how many times I can say goodbye and thank you, but goodbye and thank you,” he said. “I appreciate working with you guys and certainly with anything in the future, just reach out … I wish you all the best.”