City of Topeka has 42 candidates for city manager. Here's how much the job will pay

Forty-two people recently applied to be Topeka's next city manager, up from the 40 candidates who applied during the city's last such search, which ended in 2022 with the hiring of Stephen Wade.

Prior to Wade, the city hired Brent Trout from among 28 candidates in 2017; Jim Colson from among 49 in 2012; and Norton Bonaparte Jr. from among 30 in 2006.

The city stopped accepting applications Feb. 13 for the open city manager's job, which will pay at least $235,000 a year, according to an ad the city posted online seeking candidates.

Wade was paid $200,000 a year.

Former Ottawa city manager Richard U. Nienstedt has since served as Topeka's interim city manager while being paid $2,000 a week, the equivalent of $104,000 a year.

Topeka's mayor and city council spent two and a half hours late Tuesday meeting behind closed doors in executive session to talk about applicants for city manager, then adjourned without taking any action.

Mayor Mike Padilla and the council have set some goals for their next steps, which Padilla and Nienstedt plan to talk about at their monthly news conference Tuesday, said Rosie Nichols, co-interim communications director for the city.

What did the city's ad say?

An ad the city posted as part of its search for its next city manager said it seeks an experienced, visionary leader with the "creativity and calculation" to advance the organization and the community.

"The next City Manager will continually demonstrate a dedication to public service and a strong commitment to the City's mission, vision and values," it said. "An ethical, inclusive, fair and open-minded manager, the ideal candidate is an energetic and charismatic leader eager to build upon the City's confidence and momentum in pursuing sustainable growth and economic development."

Applicants must have a master's degree in public administration, political science, business management or a closely related field, the ad added.

What do council members say?

Four of the nine council members, while mounting successful election campaigns last year, talked with The Capital-Journal about what they're looking for in Topeka's next city manager.

"The city manager should be qualified for city manager duties including transparency and accountability," said District 4 Councilman David Banks.

Feedback from the community is "vital" as the mayor and council consider candidates, he said.

"Open listening sessions and online forms can increase the accessibility for citizens to have their voice heard in the process," Banks said. "This will better equip the council to make an informed decision that benefits the community as a whole."

District 6 Councilman Marcus D.L. Miller described the hiring of the next city manager as being a "critical decision."

"I will prioritize a candidate with a proven track record of transparent leadership, fiscal responsibility and a commitment to community engagement," he said. "Public input will be essential in this process, ensuring that our next city manager aligns with the values and priorities of District 6 residents, and the Topeka community at-large. I would prefer a long-term resident for that position."

District 8 Councilman Spencer Duncan also said it's important for citizens to play a role.

"I will look to them to tell me what they expect from the next city manager, what qualifications they are looking for and what qualities they want in this person," he said. "I believe citizens want a city manager who will take time to participate in the community and listen to where they want resources prioritized."

Duncan said he was looking forward to working with Topekans to choose the next city manager.

District 2 Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala said she's looking for someone who will be interested, engaged and committed to Topeka, and able to understand and work with staff, neighborhoods, businesses and the mayor and council.

"One of the main criteria for the next city manager must be the person's seasoned capacity to handle the stressors of the position," she said.

Valdivia-Alcala also stressed the importance of getting community input in choosing a manager.

"The next city manager needs to understand the real needs of Topeka and all its residents," she said. "And the city manager must be committed to work towards city improvements with the realization of the deep climate change shifts happening."

What's happened with Topeka's past long-term city managers?

Norton Bonaparte Jr. was hired as Topeka's first long-term city manager in 2006, after Topekans voted in November 2004 to implement a city council-manager form of government.

Bonaparte was terminated in 2011 amid a controversy over the way he dealt with the theft of scrap metal by four city employees.

Jim Colson was hired in 2012. He resigned in 2016, saying he had been away too long from his wife in Arizona and needed to return home to "full-time husband status."

Brent Trout was hired in 2017. He resigned at the end of 2021, saying he and his wife were moving east to be closer to family, including grandchildren.

Wade was hired in 2022. He was fired last July after what a city spokeswoman said was an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: City of Topeka has received 42 applications to be next city manager