If all goes as planned, Sherwood could have a new city manager who already has two decades of experience working for the city.
During a June 18 work session, the Sherwood City Council discussed its next steps as it moves to hire Craig Sheldon — who was named city manager pro-tem late last year — as its next city manager.
Council members discussed Sheldon’s performance over the last half year during the session.
Sheldon, who has served as Sherwood public works director for 20 years, replaced Keith Campbell who resigned last November after being with the city for two years. Campbell now works as city administrator for the city of DuPont, Washington.
Sherwood Mayor Tim Rosener said the council had previously held an executive session, which is closed to the public, prior to the work session.
“So now were going to talk about contracts and employment and potential next steps,” said Rosener. Councilor Taylor Giles said he was supportive of offering the city manager position to Sheldon, noting that everyone he’s talked to has said they have been pleased with Sheldon's performance as well.
Rosener polled the council to see whether they thought Sheldon was doing a good job and if they thought they needed to go through a more formal process or simply move to hire him.
“Yes, he’s doing a fantastic job. No, we don’t need a process,” said Council President Kim Young.
Councilor Doug Scott agreed, saying he also felt they should give the city manager’s job to Sheldon without going through a recruitment process, adding that he feels that the city has in reality had a seven-month interview with him during his time as temporary city manager.
“I think he’s passed it with flying colors,” said Scott, adding that one of the best reasons for hiring an in-house candidate is because “you already know what you have.”
Sheldon said he appreciated not only the council’s support but also his staff.
“We wouldn’t have got through the last six months if we didn’t operate as a team, and team is big in my mind," Sheldon said. "I hope you guys see that and we’ll continue to get work done.”
In addition, Sheldon told the council he was interested in the job and has had fun serving as city manager pro-tem.
“We’ve got a lot of good things going. I think there’s a lot of stuff to get done in the next few years,” said Sheldon.
Councilor Keith Mays said he’s worked with five city managers during his time as a mayor and council member, having been directly involved in the hiring of four — two internal candidates and two external candidates.
“I’m excited, very excited with the prospect of hiring another internal candidate,” Mays said.
Councilor Renee Brouse said she supported hiring Sheldon 100%, saying he brings the stability and the type of leadership the city needs. She too didn’t believe an outside search was necessary.
During a June 19 follow up interview, Rosener called Sheldon “a very humble but very competent leader who gets things done.”
He said since the city isn’t planning on seeking other candidates for the position, a meeting discussing a contract with Sheldon would be held in an open, public session.
Still, Rosener said both he and Brouse will sit down with Sheldon and determine a starting point with his contract and work out some of the details before that meeting.
“The obvious thing is what his pay rate is going to be and just making sure we have all the benefits and all that stuff nailed down to where he's comfortable,” said Rosener.
They would then return to the council and discuss it in a future work session before taking it to a regular meeting for full approval to hire Sheldon.
Ideally, Rosener said the goal would be to have things ironed out by the July 16 or Aug. 6 council meeting.
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