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BUCHANAN — The schedule has been set for the selection of a new Buchanan city manager with current City Manager Tim Lynch leaving at the end of December. 

Buchanan City Commissioners heard Monday from consultant Frank Walsh about the process to choose a new person to lead the city.

     Walsh, a former St. Joseph city manager, also conducted the last search in early 2023 which resulted in the commission hiring Benjamin Eldridge who resigned after less than six months on the job. He left amid controversy over complaints filed against him by employees and how then Mayor Sean Denison suspended him without a commission vote.

     Lynch served as the interim manager before Eldridge’s hiring and came back last December after Eldridge resigned. He informed the commission last month that he plans to leave by the end of 2024. The city has had three city managers in the last four years, including Eldridge and Lynch.

     Walsh’s agreement with the city in 2023 stated that he would conduct another search free of charge if the person picked last year stayed less than six months. Mayor Mark Weedon said after Monday’s meeting that the city is only paying for advertising, supplies and travel.

     Walsh said the job was posted last Friday and applications will be due Friday, Nov. 8. He will meet with the commission on Nov. 12 in a closed session to review the candidates and pick who they want to interview. The candidates chosen will then be informed of the commission’s decision and names would be released to the public.

He is suggesting a first round of interviews be conducted Nov. 19-21 with the commission deciding then to either hold a second round of interviews or to make an offer to an applicant.

     He said a contract and salary would be negotiated once an offer is made. He said the best case scenario would be to have a new city manager starting Jan. 6 but that starting date could be later in January if there is any delay in making a choice.

     Walsh said the job has been posted with the Michigan Municipal League and will also be posted on other recruiting sites as well as the city website. He noted that they’ve already have received applications from two or three strong candidates already. He said he also plans to reach out personally to people he knows around the state to see if they are interested.

     He urged commissioners to also recommend names and said that good local candidates often make strong candidates. He added that applicants don’t have to been a city manager now to be a great city manager in the future.

     Lynch’s pending departure was met with wishes from commissioners that he would stay longer. “It will be hard to replace Tim, I’m about ready to cry,” City Commissioner Dan Vigansky said.

     New City Commissioner Raquell George said she has appreciated Lynch’s guidance since being appointed to the commission last month. “I’m kind of excited but I also kind of dread looking for a new city manager,” she said.