Moorhead acting city manager Michael Redlinger may not have put his name in the hat the first time around for Moorhead's open city manager position, but the second round of searches certainly piqued his interest.
Redlinger announced Tuesday that he was a candidate for the job. Interviews are set for Feb. 1 and 2.
Other candidates for city manager include Craig Dawson, city administrator for Shorewood, Minn.; Jeri Duster, lobbyist and volunteer from Flagstaff, Ariz., J. David Fine, interim city manager for Baker City, Ore., and John "Jay" Krause, city manager for Lewiston, Idaho.
Redlinger did not apply during the first-round search, which was ditched in September after the council's top pick for the position interpreted the salary range differently than the council intended.
The salary range for the re-opened position is advertised from $105,000 to $118,000.
ADVERTISEMENT
Redlinger declined to comment further about his application Tuesday evening.
"It's more of an issue of wanting to respect the (search) process," he said.
Consultant Jim Brimeyer of The Brimeyer Group in Hopkins, Minn., narrowed the field of more than 20 applicants to 10. Two semifinalists dropped out, bringing the list down to eight.
Council members eliminated three candidates from its search Monday night, reducing the field to five finalists, including Redlinger.
Brimeyer said he believes the council will treat Redlinger like an outside candidate.
"I think that's the way (Michael) would want it," Brimeyer said.
Redlinger joined the Moorhead city staff in 2001 as an assistant to the city manager, a job slightly different to the one he transitioned to in 2003, Voxland said.
In 2003, he was named assistant city manager with a salary in the range of $50,000 to $65,000.
ADVERTISEMENT
When Bruce Messelt left the city manager position in July, Redlinger became acting city manager, while maintaining assistant city manager duties.
Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland said he was glad Redlinger applied for the position.
Several senior staff members and council members told Redlinger he should apply based on his leadership skills and initiative, Voxland said.
"You've got somebody right here, and why not take a look?" he asked.
Voxland said all the finalists are worthy of further discussion.
"Any of the five we're interviewing at this point could start tomorrow as city manager and do a great job," Voxland said. "I'll be interested to see who rises to the top."
Michael Redlinger
- Education: Bachelor of arts degree in political science and a master of science degree in public administration, both from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
ADVERTISEMENT
- Experience: In 2001, he was named assistant to the city manager in Moorhead. He was promoted to assistant city manager in 2003 and became acting city manager in July.
- Marital status: Engaged to Pam Sweet.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Kim Winnegge at (701) 241-5524 Second search suits acting city manager Kim Winnegge 20080109
