Help wanted: Sedgwick County manager, business experience desired

Sedgwick County commissioners approved the help-wanted ad in their search for a new county manager Tuesday, emphasizing that government administrative experience is not required.

Commission Chairman Richard Ranzau said in the county staff meeting Tuesday that he favors private-sector business experience. The first draft of the recruiting brochure outlining qualifications for the county manager job was rewritten at his request to make it clearer that candidates with strong business backgrounds will be considered.

The sentence in question now says: “The County is open to considering candidates who have extensive private sector experience.”

“I still think that could be a little more strongly worded,” Ranzau said. “I want to make sure those who have a lot of private-sector experience aren’t scared off by the requirements” in the brochure.

The county hired a consultant, S. Renee Narloch, to recruit for the position, and Commissioner Dave Unruh said he thinks she did a good job on the brochure. He said he would favor someone with more government management experience.

“It (the brocure) doesn’t put overemphasis on a master’s in public administration and all that sort of stuff either, so it seems like she ended up with a balance from all this, but whatever,” he said.

The majority of commissioners were ready to move on and publish the job listing, especially after Assistant County Manager Ron Holt pointed out that even without further revisions, it will be July before a new manager can be hired.

William Buchanan, the county manager for the past 24 years, is retiring. His last day on the job is scheduled for June 15. After Buchanan leaves, Holt will serve as county manager until a permanent replacement is selected.

This story was originally published April 21, 2015 at 6:59 PM with the headline "Help wanted: Sedgwick County manager, business experience desired."