By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner indicates there might not be a national search to find the next city manager.
Renner is no longer publicly lobbying to spend taxpayer dollars on a consultant to aid in the search. That decision, said Renner, will be up to the city council at its February 12th meeting.
He praised Interim City Manager Steve Rasmussen, particularly for his handling of the budget process, but stopped short of backing him to become the permanent city manager.
“I think it would be inappropriate for me, as mayor at this point when the council has yet to speak, to weigh in on this conversation,” Renner said.
“I will say that I think Steve has done an outstanding job, and certainly in the way he’s handled the budget process, has really been outstanding,” Renner added.
Rasmussen is interested in becoming the permanent replacement for David Hales, who left in November to become Joliet’s city manager.
A citizens’ budget review team, formed by Alderman Diana Hauman, voiced its support for Rasmussen. The group said a national search is likely to be a wasted expense because the city has a qualified internal candidate.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]