After a somewhat lengthy discussion, council has opted to go ahead with its original decision to hire a headhunter to help find a suitable candidate for the CAO position.
A motion by Mayor Rick Pankiw to hire the recruitment firm of HR Group Management Consultants of Edmonton was carried unanimously at council’s Feb. 11 meeting following an in-camera session.
The decision did not come quickly and earlier in the meeting, Coun. Einar Olsen made a motion to rescind a previous motion to hire a headhunter.
“I think we are capable of making the decision ourselves,” he said.
Coun. Mathew Jaycox agreed.
“A headhunter will come back with multiple names and we still have to make a decision,” he said.
However, Coun. Paul Payson said the cost of hiring a headhunter was not unreasonable and should be considered.
Olsen’s motion to not go ahead with the original plan was defeated three to two with Pankiw, Payson and Webb in favor.
Council will hire the firm of HR Group Management Consultants of Edmonton at a cost of $12,000 plus GST and expenses for advertising and travel.
In the open mike session, Ray Durand, who attended the council meeting, told council they should be able to make a decision about hiring a CAO without the help of a headhunter.
“We expect you to make decisions. We voted you in. We made that decision. It (hiring a headhunter) is a waste of taxpayers’ money.”