By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
Eight people have applied for the Yukon city manager post as city council members seek Jim Crosby’s successor.
They are due to meet in executive session during the next city council meeting to review applicants and discuss how their search is progressing. The council meeting will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 inside the Centennial Building, 12 S 5th.
Applications were received through Monday, Nov. 9 in the hunt for a new Yukon city manager. Applicants were asked to submit resumes and videos for council members to review.
“We are starting the review process,” Yukon Mayor Shelli Selby said. “I am excited to look at all the candidates but know the right person will have big shoes to fill. This will be a tedious process.”
After paring down the list of applicants, city council members are expected to interview finalists before selecting Yukon’s new chief city administrator.
The position was posted on the City of Yukon website.
Crosby is retiring effective Jan. 22, 2021 after serving as Yukon’s city manager for nearly 22 years during two separate stints.
To be eligible for the position, candidates must have at least 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in municipal government.
The position will remain open until a new city manager has been hired to replace Crosby.
Yukon’s city manager must live in Yukon while in office, according to the Yukon city charter.
‘COME IN RUNNING’
Ward 1 City Council Member Rick Cacini said Yukon’s new city manager should be ready to “come in running – not sitting down.”
“This city is hopping,” Cacini said. “We have a lot of things going on, and he or she has to have experience running a town of this size.
“He or she has to know how the system works. It will be a challenge for anyone coming in because of all the moving parts.”
Cacini referred to the current economy, the COVID-19 pandemic, new business development, and recent major ice storm tree damage that impact the City of Yukon.
“I hope the individual that we select will be able to handle it all,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough job. Being a city manager is not an easy job.”
Piedmont City Manager Jason Orr is among outside candidates who could be considered. Among possible top internal candidates are Assistant City Manager Tammy Kretchmar and Development Services Director Mitchell Hort.
There have been three Yukon city managers in the last 30 years – Stan Greil, Grayson Bottom and Crosby.
Former longtime Yukon City Clerk Mary Huckaba and Kretchmar have both served as interim city manager.
The Yukon City Council also is searching for a new city attorney. Gary Miller – a former Canadian County district judge – will retire Dec. 31 after more than four years as Yukon city attorney.
The Yukon City Council hires three positions – city manager, city attorney and municipal judge.
