Citing the need for a comprehensive review of government salaries, Mayor Skip Henderson has halted the ongoing search for a new city manager for an estimated three to six months. The decision follows months of candidate recruitment and interviews that did not result in a nominee the mayor felt confident bringing before the Columbus Council for confirmation.
Under the Columbus Charter, the mayor holds the authority to nominate key City Officers — including the city manager — who must then receive an up-or-down vote by the council. City Officers, as defined by Sec. 4-300, include the city manager, city attorney, chiefs of police and fire/EMS, and the warden of Muscogee County Prison. These positions are accountable directly to the mayor unless otherwise stated by law.
Henderson said the city must reassess its compensation structure for top-level leadership roles to remain competitive with peer municipalities…