Laketown Township sets timeline for new manager search

LAKETOWN TWP. — Laketown Township has created a timeline for its new manager search, with hopes to have someone in place by the end of the year.

Current manager Al Meshkin, who served for 35 years, will retire on Jan. 3 .

More: Laketown Township Manager Al Meshkin to retire after 35 years

In August, the board selected MGT, formerly GovHR, to lead the search for a replacement at a cost of about $25,000.

A listing for the position was posted earlier this month . Requirements include a bachelor’s degree and five years of administrative or supervisory experience in local government. Preferences include experience as a township or city manager or deputy manager and a graduate degree in business, public administration, finance, law or a related field.

The salary range is listed at $115,000-$140,000.

The deadline for applications is Oct. 9. The township will begin to review resumes on Sept. 27. Former Holland City Manager Ryan Cotton, who is leading the project for MGT, told the board he expects around two dozen “viable applicants” with six to eight “qualified candidates,” according to a release.

A special board meeting is set for Wednesday, Oct. 23, to review candidates. The review will be conducted in closed session to protect the privacy of applicants. Candidates will be selected for interviews and, once they accept, their names will be made public.

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Interviews will be conducted in open meetings. The first round of interviews is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. A second round is set for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6.

A conditional offer could be made Nov. 13, according to the timeline, with final ratification on Dec. 11. The new township board, which will be elected Nov. 5, will be sworn in Nov. 20.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com .

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Laketown Township sets timeline for new manager search