The qualifications required for the city manager role took center stage as council members and participants debated the importance of education versus experience. A notable point of contention was whether to set the minimum experience requirement at five or seven years, with some members arguing that five years might not suffice for effective city governance. The council eventually voted in favor of requiring seven years of experience, aligning with expectations from similar municipalities. This decision was reached after considering the need for a candidate who understands the complexities of municipal operations and can effectively lead the city.

Alongside qualifications, the council engaged in a discussion about the salary for the new city manager. There was a proposal to set the starting salary at $78,000, with some members advocating for a higher figure to ensure the position’s competitiveness relative to other city roles. Concerns were raised about ensuring the city manager’s salary was higher than those they supervise, particularly department heads, to maintain a clear hierarchy of compensation.

The council also deliberated on the implications of tying salary raises to performance evaluations, with some expressing concern that this could lead to biased assessments. Alternatives, such as having automatic raises built into management contracts, were discussed, drawing comparisons to salary structures in other municipalities.

The timeline for reviewing applications was another topic. Council members highlighted the need for adequate time to scrutinize applications before making any decisions. A special meeting was proposed for February 14th, contingent on the volume of applications received. The council planned to use the next meeting on February 7th to discuss the next steps after receiving applications.

Residency requirements for the city manager were also considered, with the council deciding to allow candidates to live within a 30-mile radius of Williston.

Public participation was encouraged throughout the meeting, with community members expressing their views on the hiring process. One participant emphasized the balance between education and experience.

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of the efforts by city officials in addressing community concerns, such as the recent removal of drugs from a local hospital. The council expressed gratitude for the police chief’s initiative in mitigating what could have been an issue for Williston.