Meet the Muskegon Heights City Manager Finalists

August 17, 2016 Teresa Taylor-Williams

By Teresa Taylor Williams

Muskegon, MI

The search is nearly over for the new Muskegon Heights City Manager.

The public is invited to meet the four finalists at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Muskegon Heights City Hall, 2724 Peck Street.

The finalists are Harey Staven of Oregon, Robert Fowler of Ohio, and Patrick Jordan and Jacob Elkholm, both of Michigan.

After nearly a year, Muskegon Heights Mayor Kimberley Sims said she and the City Council are confident that the search will wrap up this weekend.

“This is the last round and we’re looking at closing the chapter on this. One of these four will be the new city manager,” said Sims, adding that the new hire will be in place by September.

The candidates were whittled down from a pool of 24 earlier this summer. The finalists will have the opportunity to introduce themselves, and citizens are encouraged to ask them questions at the informal Meet and Greet. Light refreshments will be served.

The city council conducted a search last fall and candidates were interviewed, but none were selected.

The position was vacated in February 2015 when former City Manager Natasha Henderson left to take a job in Flint. In the interim, City Treasurer Lori Doody has also been performing duties as interim city manager.

The City Manager is appointed by the Mayor and City Council and serves as Chief Administrative Officer. Among the duties of city manager are to direct and supervise the administration of all departments, officers, and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided by the City Council; prepare an submit the annual budget and capital program to the City; attend all City Council meetings; and make recommendations to the City Council concerning affairs of the City.

For more information about the Meet and Greet or the City Manager search, call (231) 733-8870.