The Pontiff Lakeside Town Council unanimously appointed Kristi Salzkopf as interim town manager at a special meeting and then discussed steps, timelines and costs for hiring a permanent town manager.

Council members moved to appoint Kristi Salzkopf and the motion was seconded; the council voted unanimously to approve the interim appointment. Council members then turned to an update on the permanent town manager search from Stacy, who summarized work done to date and recommended using Top Search recruiter Jackie Benton to screen and counsel on finalists.

Stacy said Top Search would work a la carte with the council’s existing candidate pool and could screen applicants, conduct video interviews and provide suggested interview questions and scoring guidance. Stacy said the recruiter estimated about 40 hours of work for the screening and interview-preparation piece, at roughly $6,000, and that the firm spends about two hours per candidate during its screening interviews.

Council members discussed several process details: distributing a stakeholder survey, using a QR code to solicit wider input, vetting respondents by ZIP code or address, narrowing the applicant pool before outside screening, and including candidate presentations or a meet-and-greet so residents and business representatives can evaluate finalists. Staff member Annie was asked to build the QR code and handle digital distribution; Stacy said she would assemble results and provide materials to Jackie Benton once the council narrowed its list.

The group set preliminary timing: the council discussed publishing a stakeholder survey the week of Monday, Oct. 27, with responses requested through Monday, Nov. 3. Council members were asked to send Stacy their ranked candidate lists by the end of the week (Friday), after which staff would compile the council’s top choices and forward assembled materials to the recruiter. Stacy indicated she could turn the compiled list over to the recruiter on Nov. 5 if the council's schedule held. Council discussion included the possibility of starting interviews around Thanksgiving, with an expressed goal of holding final interviews by Dec. 1, though members said those dates could change depending on candidates’ availability.

Members debated whether to rely wholly on an outside recruiter or to do more internal screening. Some council members argued an outside perspective would maintain focus and fairness; others said the council could reduce cost by doing initial screening and using the recruiter only for a final review. Several members supported a process that would narrow the pool to about 10 candidates and then further to 6 finalists for deeper evaluation.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: council members will submit their top candidate lists to Stacy by Friday; Annie will publish and manage the stakeholder QR survey beginning Monday, Oct. 27, with results due Nov. 3; staff will compile responses and forward materials to the recruiter if the council elects to engage that service. The interim appointment of Kristi Salzkopf is effective immediately, per the council vote at the special meeting.