Panama City commissioners vote on how they will replace City Manager Mark McQueen

PANAMA CITY − Local officials are gearing up to begin a search for City Manager Mark McQueen's replacement.

Panama City commissioners on Tuesday considered the proposals of five executive search firms that applied to help the city find a replacement for McQueen, who plans to retire later this year. The firms are BPS Recruiting, Goodwin Recruiting, Gomez Partners Inc., GovHR USA and Strategic Government Resources.

The goal of the meeting was to identify which firm commissioners are most interested in, so staff members can begin negotiations with the company to oversee the search.

Commissioners ultimately decided for the city to privately advertise the position for 30 days, and then begin negotiations with either Goodwin Recruiting or BPS Recruiting if enough quality candidates are not found within that time.

"I just want to make sure that we're considering everything," Commissioner Josh Street said. "The manager is the stabilizing force for the city. They are our executive branch. They are the extension of this commission to make government work.

"We have got to have somebody who is going to make government work in the way that the commission so leads."

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McQueen, who has worked as city manager of Panama City since September 2018, announced his resignation at a City Commission meeting in May. He will continue to hold the position until Sept. 30, the last day of the city's 2022-23 fiscal year.

McQueen took over as city manager about two weeks before the area was decimated by Category 5 Hurricane Michael in October 2018. He transitioned into the role following a 36-year career in the U.S. Army, from which he retired as a major general.

In the almost five years he has served as manager, Panama City has secured more than $420 million in grants and loans to help rebuild the community from the destruction of Michael.

Though commissioners agree it is important to fill the position with the best candidate, noting that person will have big shoes to fill, the types of candidates they preferred as of Tuesday varied.

"We're looking for somebody with experience (and) maybe somebody with a master's (degree) in city management," Mayor Michael Rohan said. "My preference would be somebody from out of town, because I think we could have a more objective look at that person, and that person could have a more objective look at us."

Commissioner Jenna Haligas pointed out she would prefer someone with a different background.

"For me, to have someone experienced in government sounds like a nightmare," Haligas said. "Sometimes when people have worked in government for so long, they become part of the problem, and they have a way of thinking that is not like it is for someone who hasn't."

Information from the meeting notes that during the initial 30-day period, Panama City will advertise its city manager position on websites such as the Florida League of Cities, Florida City & County Management Association and International City/County Management Association. The is the same route that led to the hiring of McQueen.

"I would agree with the mayor that experience is important," Commissioner Janice Lucas said. "We're at a juncture and a place in our city where we need forward thinking at the helm of city management. Whether that comes from someone local or someone out of town, what's important to me is that someone can take this baton and keep us moving forward."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City to replace retiring City Manager Mark McQueen later this year