CITY OF CANADIAN, TEXAS
This is a truly special opportunity for an aspiring professional manager to live and work in a family-oriented community unique among Texas panhandle cities. Canadian, Texas offers the quality of life found in a relatively small community of 3000 residents coupled with a progressive-minded city council interested in continuing the record of improvements. The Mayor and City Council are looking for a successor to the current city manager leaving voluntarily to accept a private sector position in Canadian.
The outgoing city manager is committed to assisting the new manager during the transition period and long term. There have been three city managers in the last 23 years.
FEATURES OF THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY
Located in the northeast Texas panhandle, this picturesque city offers rolling hills surrounded by table-topped mesa landscapes. Canadian enjoys a thriving economy based on oil and gas production, natural gas processing, cattle ranching, and expanding eco-tourism activities. The population of Canadian includes 61% of the residents under the age of 44 with the average age at 38 years.
Canadian, on U.S. highways 60 and 83 in western Hemphill County, has been the county seat since its founding in 1887. On July 4, 1888, Canadian's reputation as a rodeo town began when the annual Cowboys' Reunion staged one of the first commercial rodeos in Texas. The rodeo remains an annual event.
Several prominent businessmen and civic leaders are descendants of the founders and still make Canadian their home. A tour around the community reveals the evidence of their continuing investment in public and private improvements. Support of the arts, cultural events, and historic preservation abound in Canadian.
The oil and natural gas industry has historically provided employment opportunities. However, the community is also home to one of the largest “off Wall Street” commodity trading floors in the United States.
Hemphill County Hospital is a full-service not-for-profit health care provider in Canadian. The facility consists of 26-bed acute and swingbed wings, a hospice suite, home health care, physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, an emergency room, and lab/x-ray services.
The highly respected Canadian Independent School District is comprised of two elementary schools, a middle school, and Canadian High School. The school system employs 157 full and part time staff. Typically, 80% of each high school graduating class attends a college or university. Many of the remaining 20% pursue technical school programs. Two Canadian graduates in the 2010 class have been accepted to attend Harvard University with one on a full scholarship. Local scholarship support for Canadian students totals $40,000 annually.
CITY MANAGER CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Qualified candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, business, or related field from an accredited college or university. A sufficient combination of education and experience can qualify applicants in lieu of the degree requirement. A Master’s degree or related professional degree is preferred. A minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible management experience is highly desired.
The successful candidate will be a people-oriented self-starter with demonstrated organizational skills, effective oral and written communications (bilingual ability is a plus), and a proven capacity to build positive intergovernmental relationships.
Core Competencies Required Include:
· Financial management and budgeting experience
· Construction project management experience
· Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment systems
· Working knowledge of water/wastewater utility operations
· Understanding of economic development principles and practices
· Experience with commercial and residential development
Other attributes sought by the City Council:
· Calm, even temperament
· Diplomatic under pressure
· Fair-minded with emphasis on actions benefitting the entire community
· Visionary leader able to anticipate problems
CITY GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION
The City of Canadian is a Type A general law municipality. Cities under general law status have only those powers authorized by the State of Texas.
The City employs 22 full-time staff and 10 seasonal employees. The annual personnel turnover rate is very low. The annual operating budget is $3.5 million, and the City typically maintains a 25% reserve level.
The city council members are elected at-large for two-year terms on a nonpartisan basis. The Canadian City Council consists of five members plus the Mayor who votes only in case of a tie. The City Council is responsible for passing ordinances; adopting the annual budget; appointments to boards and committees; and appointing the city manager, city secretary, and city attorney.
The City Manager is responsible for executing the policies and ordinances of the City Council, overseeing day-to-day operations of the government, and for appointing the heads of the various city departments. The City Manager also serves as the media contact for the City.
Currently, the head of the Public Works Department supervises the activities of the Water/Wastewater Utility, Streets (including street maintenance, parks, and animal control), Fleet Vehicle Maintenance, and Sanitation.
The Canadian City Pool is operated from May through August by ten seasonal employees. The Canadian Golf Course is open all year. Course maintenance is outsourced to a private contractor.
Fire protection is provided by a 501 (c) (3) volunteer Fire Department funded jointly by the City of Canadian and Hemphill County. Law Enforcement is provided by the Hemphill County Sheriff’s Office.
The Canadian Economic Development Corporation and Chamber of Commerce are a combined entity. The City of Canadian adopted a Texas Statute 4A sales tax and undertakes 4A eligible projects through the EDC. The EDC/Chamber also operates a City/TxDOT funded Visitors Center open all year.
Future Issues To Be Addressed:
· Major upgrade of the wastewater treatment facility
· Annexation and associated residential subdivision development
· Attracting additional retail business/restaurant development
· Increasing eco-tourism activity in the area
· Enhanced code enforcement
· Civic involvement in parks maintenance
· Improvements to City Hall
COMPENSATION
The starting salary for the position will range from $65,000 to $80,000 depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The City Council is planning to incorporate a housing benefit into the compensation package. A market competitive benefits package will be provided which includes family health insurance, pension contribution of 14%, city vehicle or allowance, membership in a local health club, and professional organization membership. Reasonable relocation expenses will be reimbursed.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications will be accepted until close of business on September 30, 2010. To request an application, please email your letter of interest and resume to Gary Holland, Senior Vice-President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at gholland73@hotmail.com.
The City of Canadian is an Equal Opportunity Employer.