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Portage Council Considers Next Steps in City Manager Search

Sehvilla Mann
/
WMUK

Portage City Council members say they hope to decide soon how they’ll select the city’s next manager. Maurice Evans announced his retirement on Monday after eight years at the post.

At the city council’s meeting yesterday, Mayor Pete Strazdas suggested councilors weigh different approaches with the hope of approving one at their next meeting. He says the first step is for members to decide what “qualities” they’re looking for in Evans’ successor. Considerations include whether to hire a search firm to find candidates and a consultant to assist with decision-making.

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Pearson says those services could be helpful. But he added they should be chosen with care. Other members agreed, saying bad advice could be devastating for the city. He also said councilors might do best to appoint an interim manager, to allow a thorough search for a permanent one.

Evans’ last day on the job is April first.

Sehvilla Mann joined WMUK’s news team in 2014 as a reporter on the local government and education beats. She covered those topics and more in eight years of reporting for the Station, before becoming news director in 2022.