The City of Brentwood has entered the final stages in selecting a new city manager, providing the community an opportunity to directly engage with the top contenders. On Wednesday, October 30, residents can meet the three finalists at a public gathering hosted from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library Friends Gathering Room. This event arrives as Brentwood's City Manager Kirk Bednar readies to draw his tenure of over 24 years to a close, with retirement set for February 2025.
Taking an active role in ensuring a seamless transition, the City Commission has opted to not just rely upon the expertise of Government Professional Services (GPS), the executive search firm hired in August, but also to actively involve community members in the selection process. Out of more than 30 applications received by the firm, the commission was able to narrow quickly down the applicants to an accomplished trio — Rebecca Fleury of Battle Creek, Michigan; David Jones of Ankeny, Iowa; and Richard Reade of Okeechobee County, Florida. According to Brentwood's press release, these individuals possess the qualifications deemed necessary to potentially lead the city into its next chapter.
The selection process for a position as pivotal as that of the city manager is a testament to the importance of civic engagement and transparency in municipal governance. Finalists Fleury, Jones, and Reade bring their unique backgrounds and experience to the table, each vying for the opportunity to apply their skills to the broader canvas of Brentwood's future. With the outgoing manager Bednar's legacy of over two decades of service, the new appointee will have significant shoes to fill, and the public's voice in this process is a crucial component.
The Meet and Greet event is a strategic move by the commission to ensure the city manager is not merely a steward of their office but also attuned to the intricate mosaic that is the Brentwood community. Residents are encouraged to come forth, to ask rigorously questions, and to seize a sense of ownership in the decision-making process. It's precisely these community interactions that may shed light on who among Fleury, Jones, and Reade will not only carry on Bednar's work but also bring fresh insights and direction to the City of Brentwood.
