Trenton commission starts search for new city manager

By Cindy Jo Ayers

Three Trenton commissioners were in attendance at Monday’s city council meeting, which was held to make decisions regarding the search for a new city manager
Jered Ottenwess, who has served as Trenton’s city manager for almost five years, turned in his official resignation to commissioners on Monday. Ottenwess will be leaving his post as of March 5, 2010. He has accepted a position as city manager for Ishpeming, Michigan.
Mayor Glen Thigpen, as well as Commissioners Tim Kinsey and Randy Rutter, discussed the application process at length.
They changed a few things on the advertisement, which the city manager had composed for the council. The ad asked for a bachelor’s degree in a related field; however, a combination of education and experience would be considered. The commissioners changed the salary range from $45,000 to $52,500 to $35,000 to $52,500. In July of 2005 when the city sent out advertisements for this position they requested a Master’s degree. The commissioners hope to find a qualified candidate who will be willing to stay on in Trenton for many years. They hope by changing the qualifications somewhat they will attract candidates for the position who will be here for many years.
Commissioner Kinsey requested that the lower end of the salary range be dropped to $35,000. Kinsey went on to say. “Kathryn Deen didn’t have a higher degree, but she ran this city really good for years.” Kinsey told Rutter and Thigpen, “If we go too high we are above our means; we could use that money for roads.”
Ottenwess suggested that they not use the ranking system that they used previously because one commissioner could skew the entire ranking by zeroing a candidate. Mayor Thigpen and the commissioners agreed to pick their individual choice and rank them individually in first through fifth place format and those rankings will then be averaged. The commissioners also agreed not to pay travel expenses for any candidate who travels to Trenton for an interview. The commissioners are hoping to find a dozen good applicants for this position. After the final selection is made, a background review will be done. This check will be followed by an offer from the city.
The commissioners agreed to screen all the resumes and applications themselves and decide who they will call in for the final interview process which will take place March 15-16. The deadline to apply for the job is Friday, Feb. 26.
Terry Williams of Florida Crown Workforce attended the meeting to offer her company’s services. She told commissioners that she could place their ad free of charge and her company also would do the screens for the position if they requested it. In the end the commissioners decided to do their own screening.
Applications for the position are on the City of Trenton’s website, which is www.trentonflorida.org under the City Jobs tab.