Geoff Fruin is officially appointed as the new city manager.
By Austin Petroski
Iowa City interim City Manager Geoff Fruin on Wednesday evening was unanimously appointed as the new city manager after the city councilors voted 5-2 against conducting a nationwide search to fill the position.
“My support [is] for no search because we have a qualified and dedicated individual,” Councilor Susan Mims said during the meeting.
Fruin has served as the interim after previous City Manager Tom Markus stepped down to become the city manager of Lawrence, Kansas, in March. State law directed the city to appoint an interim manager for three months before determining a successor.
Mayor Jim Throgmorton said before the vote that he had met with every councilor before the meeting and found both positive and opposing views about appointing Fruin. He noted that the majority of feedback he had received from the community was in favor of appointing Fruin.
Throgmorton said conducting a nationwide search would pose problems for the city.
“A search would inhibit our ability to meet the goals we have established,” he said.
A nationwide search would have likely cost the city tens of thousands of dollars and require a large time commitment from members of the city staff.
Mims said the time frame for this decision was crucial, and the city did not want to be distracted from implementing its strategic plan, as well as conducting a search for a new police chief.
Councilor Kingsley Botchway agreed, believing the council needed to focus on the police-chief search.
While Councilor Terry Dickens, who went through a city manager search to find Markus, said he believed Fruin was capable and better qualified than most applicants they had received.
“I think Geoff has proven himself he can do the job,” he said.
Councilors Rockne Cole and John Thomas opposed to appoint Fruin. They stressed their favor for a nationwide search was not in response to Fruin’s lack of ability.
“I want to emphasize I don’t think a pro-public search is anti-Geoff; he would be an extremely qualified candidate,” Cole said, noting he wanted to conduct a search as part of a policy move to ensure the city was conducting equal opportunity employment.
“I cannot support a process that closes doors,” he said.
Thomas echoed Cole in favor of a nationwide search to ensure the councilors were certain they made the right decision.
“This is a long-term decision we are making,” he said. “We want to make sure we are making the right move.”
Councilor Pauline Taylor voted to appoint Fruin because she said she believes “Fruin is committed to Iowa City.”