Seven firms submit bids to help find city manager.

Byline: Bob Keefer The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - The city took one of its first steps toward naming its successor to Mike Kelly with seven executive search firms submitting proposals to help find Springfield's next city manager.

Human Resources Director Bill Spiry will select one of the firms by early June, he said.

A representative from the successful firm is expected to meet with the City Council in a work session on June 13. Kelly is retiring Aug. 31.

The firms are:

PNR Associates of Springfield. Its principals include its president, Paul Plath, former superintendent of the Springfield School District. PNR's proposal notes that the firm has never assisted in a city manager search but has worked with 300 school districts in 35 states as well as with several Lane County organizations. PNR said its search would cost $10,000 to $12,000 plus expenses of up to $6,000.

Waters-Oldani Executive Recruitment Inc. of Dallas, Texas. The proposal highlights the firm's experience in recruiting "diverse candidate pools." The fee would be $18,500 plus expenses of up to $7,500.

William Avery & Associates of Los Gatos, Calif. The firm recently has recruited town managers for Atherton and Los Gatos, Calif., and city managers for Vallejo, Pittsburg, San Marino, Sanger and Avalon, Calif. Avery's proposed fee is $15,900 plus expenses of up to $7,000.

L.B. Hayhurst & Associates Inc. of Novato, Calif. President Lonnie Hayhurst, a former human resources manager for Marin County, Calif., has recruited city managers for Clayton, Arcata and El Cerrito, Calif., as well as the administrator of the Los Angeles Redevelopment Agency. The firm proposes a fee of $13,500 plus up to $8,000 in expenses.

Bob Murray & Associates of Roseville, Calif. Murray was city manager of Olympia before starting his consulting business. The firm recruited Eugene City Manager Dennis Taylor, who was hired in 2003, as well as city managers for Salem and Newberg. The firm's fee would be $17,500 plus expenses of up to $8,500.

Waldron & Co. of Seattle. Waldron has done searches for the Washington cities of Lakewood and Olympia, and for Cannon Beach. The firm, which also has offices in Lake Oswego, would charge $18,800 plus expenses to be agreed upon.

Wilcox, Miller & Nelson of Sacramento. Recent placements include a city administrator in Ashland and the city managers in Delano and East Palo Alto, Calif. Waldron's fee would be $13,000 plus expenses of up to $5,000.