WINONA — Mayor Mark Peterson is hoping to have a new city manager in place before Judy Bodway steps away from the position next year.
Bodway has been the city manager in Winona for more than three decades. She announced her resignation in September, with Feb. 19 her last day.
Peterson's goal is to have someone hired before that time, but he said that might be a little ambitious. It all depends on who the city council selects, he said, and how much notice the candidate has to give at his or her current position. For example, Bodway's contract stipulates a three-month notice in order to leave the position.
To speed the search on its way, Winona City Council members approved hiring David Drown Associates to consult on the search. According to Peterson, the firm assisted the Winona County board on its recent search and hiring of a new county administrator.
The firm was hired at a cost of $15,500 to the city, Peterson said, and will assist the city council through the hiring process. Gary Weiers, of the David Drown's Faribault office, was hired to lead the search and is expected to visit today with city council members, city staff and Bodway as part of the search.
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The consultants will help advertise the position, Peterson said, as well as help select candidates, conduct background checks and assist with screening finalists for the position.
"We wanted to bring in professional help," Peterson said. "This is one of the most important things this council does. We want to hire someone who will be around 15 years or more."
