City of Columbia seeks firm to aid in city manager search

The city of Columbia is officially in the market for a search firm to help find its next city manager.

The city posted its request for qualifications on Wednesday afternoon for an executive search firm to seek out applicants for the job. The spot became vacant when Mike Matthes resigned on Nov. 21 after more than seven years.

The Columbia City Council agreed to hire the firm on Monday, rather than conduct the search on its own. The council agreed the firm would bring an expertise in finding people with the skills and interest in the job.

The city used a search firm in 2010 and 2011 to find a city manager, which ended in Matthes’ hiring. That search cost the city at least $20,000.

Human resource director Margrace Buckler said the request would seek search firm applicants that have “experience with social equity, diversity and inclusion in search and outreach methods.” Buckler said that qualification was new when compared to the earlier search.

Council members said they hope to interview three finalists for the search firm job the week of Dec. 17, then hire the firm at its first meeting in January.

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