by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
MANHATTAN - On Thursday, April 18th, the City of Manhattan will host a retirement reception for outgoing City Manager, Ron Fehr from 3:00 to 5:00pm.
The reception will be held in the City Commission Room at City Hall and the public is invited to attend.
There will be a brief social time from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm, with formal remarks and a program highlighting Fehr's 42-year career with the City of Manhattan starting at 3:45 pm.
According to a news release from the City of Manhattan, Fehr began his career with the City of Manhattan in January 1982 in the newly formed Parks and Recreation Department as the Forestry and Parks Supervisor. While in Parks and Recreation, he served as a Park Superintendent and six years as Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation.
He was promoted to the position of Assistant City Manager in December 1992.
Throughout his tenure, Fehr served in various capacities, including as Acting Zoo Director, Acting Director of Human Resources, and Acting Director of Utilities (twice). He assumed the role of Acting City Manager in 1995 and again just before his permanent appointment in April 2000.
Upon Fehr’s retirement, the City Commission has appointed Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers to serve as Interim City Manager until a new city manager is hired and begins work.
A search for Manhattan’s next City Manager is under way to build upon Fehr’s leadership and continue the City’s trajectory of success.
The City Commission and its recruiting partners at SGR have been working with stakeholders to gather insight into the profile development for our next City Manager. SGR representatives were on site last week in Manhattan to meet with city commissioners, staff, and multiple other individuals and groups throughout the community. SGR is compiling this feedback and aims to present a draft job profile for the City Commission to consider sometime in April.
Following approval of the job profile, SGR will open the application period and begin the recruitment process.