Replacing manager will take time, money

So, how long will it take for Austin to get a new city manager after Marc Ott goes to Washington, D.C., to start his new job at the end of October? And how much will it cost? Assistant City Manager Mark Washington, who started his career in Austin as director of Human Resources, told City Council during Tuesday’s work session that the process could take six to nine months and cost up to $100,000. Washington recommended hiring an executive search firm, explaining that candidates for the position would be more likely to throw their names in the hat if they could count on the confidentiality such firms offer. The first thing Council members must do, however, is pick an interim city manager and decide whether that person can be a candidate for the permanent position. They can’t do that this week, though, because the item is not on Thursday’s agenda. They will have to wait until next week, said City Attorney Anne Morgan. Morgan said they can post their thoughts on the City Council Message Board in the meantime, however.