The qualities desired in Sacramento’s new city manager were made public at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

The council voted to conduct a national search using a recruiting firm at its Jan. 25 meeting. The search was delayed after the council members decided not to discuss the characteristics they wanted in candidates as scheduled at the Feb. 22 meeting.

Executive Recruiter Stuart Satow of CPS Human Resource Services read the combined qualifications being sought by the City Council and Mayor Kevin Johnson. Going forward, Satow said he will condense the two pages of bullet points into a brochure which highlights the top qualities that will be issued to applicants.

“It’s a step in the process,” Johnson said after the meeting. “We’ll condense that into the top four or five for the brochure. It was a whole list – we have enough for 10 city managers.”

Some of the more than 25 bullet points in the ideal candidate profile include:
• Is a person of conviction – will provide best professional advice; is not a “yes” person and knows when to take a stand; possesses a strong “backbone.”
• Strong management experience working with budget and labor relations
• Will keep mayor and council informed; no surprises

Other points include working in a council/mayor system and being personable and a relationship builder.

The council members also identified a number of key issues and priorities they want the new city manager to focus on.

They include addressing the financial difficulties in the current economy, working effectively with labor unions and working with a diverse council representing multiple districts.

Satow said he hopes to have the brochure ready for approval at next week’s City Council meeting. After that, candidates will be asked to apply, and a final filing date for applications has been set for May 30.

The goal for announcing the new city manager is the third week in June, according to Johnson.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.