East Lansing takes first step for national city manager search after Lahanas dismissal

EAST LANSING — City officials are taking the first step in finding a new city manager after City Council dismissed former City Manager George Lahanas in January.

East Lansing is requesting bids from recruiting and talent acquisition firms specializing in executive recruiting services to help the city perform a national search for the opening, according to the city’s website.

Bids are due by 5 p.m. next Tuesday.

People can contact Acting Human Resources Director Ben Dawson at bdawson@cityofeastlansing.com or 517-319-6846 for more information.

"A lot of important work goes into the pre-process to hire a city manager," Dawson said in an email. "At this time, we are at the early stages of requesting bids from professional firms that coordinate this kind of work for municipal and private sector organizations."

He said retired East Lansing fire chief Randy Talifarro, who will take on the interim city manager role Monday, will lead East Lansing in the search process and will decide when to begin.

"At this time, we are just requesting bids so that the city can accurately estimate the costs and see what services are available to assist us in our eventual search," Dawson said.

East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon said Tuesday morning he didn't want to list qualifications or traits for a potential city manager because he wanted to leave it open for potential applicants.

“I want to just make sure we get a good cross section or a wide pool of candidates,” he said, adding he'd be willing to comment further in the process.

Read More:

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• East Lansing releases estimated value of Lahanas severance package

• Former Lansing police lieutenant Noel Garcia appointed to East Lansing City Council

He said, in the interim, city staff has handled city affairs with very little to no interruption in city services, “which is the most important part.”

“So just my kudos to the staff and teams that are in place and the depth of our leadership that is already inside the city,” Bacon said.

Last month, City Council voted to dismiss Lahanas, ending a more than decade-long tenure. His severance deal with East Lansing is anticipated to cost the city about $383,000, although that amount is likely to rise due to the city's commitment to pay for five years of health insurance for him and his family beginning in 2031. Since his dismissal, Lahanas has become the top candidate to next serve as Northville's city manager.

City Council also voted to approve an interim city manager employment agreement with Talifarro, with East Lansing Police Chief Kim Johnson serving as acting city manager in the meantime.

Contact Bryce Airgood at 517-267-0448 or bairgood@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: East Lansing starts national search for new city manager