City Manager Searches Heat Up in Berkley, Royal Oak, and Troy

Berkley, Royal Oak, and Troy: A Busy Time for City Manager Searches

In the bustling Oakland County, three cities are engaged in a flurry of activity as they work towards selecting new city managers. This period of change is set against the backdrop of the ongoing search for effective and community-driven leadership across the region.

Berkley City Council to Meet for Special Decision

The Berkley City Council has scheduled a special meeting for October 7 at 5:30 p.m. to finalize the hiring of a new city manager. The council recently interviewed three strong candidates for the role, each bringing unique experiences and perspectives to the table. The finalists are:

• M. Jon Dean: Currently serving as the head of human resources at Veterinary United.
• Khalfani Stephens: The deputy mayor of Pontiac.
• Crystal VanVleck: Currently the deputy city manager of community services in Oak Park.

The salary range for this position in Berkley is set between $140,000 and $160,000, reflecting the importance of the role in the city’s operations and future direction. The meeting will take place in the council chambers at City Hall, located at 3338 Coolidge Hwy, and residents can tune in via the city’s YouTube channel or on WBRK radio.

Royal Oak Searches for Leadership

Meanwhile, Royal Oak is also in the process of seeking a new city manager, with a public interview session scheduled for October 12. At this event, residents will have the opportunity to hear from three candidates:

• Khalfani Stephens (also a finalist in Berkley)
• Joseph Gacioch, the current city manager of Ferndale
• Erik Tungate, the city manager of Oak Park

This position offers a higher salary range of $190,000 to $210,000, reflecting the city’s commitment to attracting top talent. The public sessions will take place at Royal Oak City Hall in the commission chambers.

Troy’s Ongoing Search and Challenges

In Troy, the city is close to identifying its next leader after the council previously decided to appoint deputy city manager Bob Bruner to succeed the retiring Mark Miller. Unfortunately, negotiations with Bruner fell short, prompting the city to restart the search in September. The current pay range for the new manager is between $177,500 and $240,000.

As of now, the names of the candidates for Troy have not been disclosed, as the city has yet to reach the finalist stage. The city council is set to hold a special meeting on October 21 that will include discussions about the candidates, but this will involve a closed session. Public interviews will be scheduled afterward, but time is of the essence as Troy Police Chief Frank Nastasi has been appointed interim manager, a role he can only hold for three months due to Michigan civil service rules.

A Unique Grand Landscape of Management Change

This wave of city manager searches is quite an interesting happening all at once in Oakland County. Courtney Flynn, a spokeswoman for Troy, highlighted how many cities are undergoing changes in such a concentrated timeframe. She emphasized the need for a thorough but swift process to ensure that the right candidates are selected for these pivotal roles.

Residents from all three cities are encouraged to engage in the process. After all, the city manager plays a vital role in shaping the community’s future and driving positive change. In these exciting times, all eyes are on Berkley, Royal Oak, and Troy as they take important steps toward selecting their new leaders.