Star-Journbal Editor
Fresh from its piece-of-cake inaugural meeting Tuesday, the new Hillsboro City Council had considerably more to chew on Saturday, when it met at City Hall to interview the final two candidates for the vacant city administrator position.
After it was unable to reach an immediate consensus on which candidate should be hired, the council met Monday morning in executive session.
But still, no decision.
"They are both very, very good candidates," said Dalke, adding that both passed their interviews with flying colors.
"But I want us to understand the issues and hire based on what we're needing, versus who we liked in the interview."
The search for a new city administrator became necessary Jan. 24 after the council voted 4-0 to terminate the contract of former city administrator, Steve Garrett. Garrett spent six years on the job, but was let go after a series of unsatisfactory job reviews.
While unable to disclose the names of the two finalists for privacy reasons, Dalke revealed that both are city administrators in cities larger than Hillsboro, and both would consider the Hillsboro job to be a step up from their present positions.
"I've spoken to both of them today and both are still very interested in the position," Dalke said in an interview Monday evening.
"Both of them have wives and families, and have had to ask themselves if this is the place where I want to put my family and my future, and as of this afternoon, they both told me yes, they would love this position."
If the contract details can be worked out in time, the city will publicly name the new administrator by the end of April. But his start date in Hillsboro will depend upon his severance agreement with the city from which he comes, Dalke said, adding that it could be anywhere from two weeks to a month, or more.
Even with the city's deadline fast approaching, Dalke said she has asked each council member to spend time this week, mulling over the city's current problems, and considering which one of the candidates could solve them.
Dalke says she's confident that either of candidate would be a good fit for Hillsboro.
"We'll meet again in a couple of days to discuss where we go from here," Dalke said.
