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City administrator topic of special council meeting
new deh city adminitrator candidates larry collins.png
Larry Collins

 The Great Bend City Council will hold a special meeting at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday at the City Office, 1209 Williams. The sole agenda item is an executive session to discuss the city administrator position.

This special meeting follows a 45-minute executive session held during the council’s meeting this past Monday to discuss the three finalists for the job. No action was taken.

The finalists include: Larry Collins, who served as fire chief and interim city administrator in Ann Arbor Michigan; Kendal Francis, who served as city manager in Coffeyville and city administrator in Lakin; and Scott Hildebrand, who currently serves as the city administrator for Valley Center.

A week ago Monday, the council announced candidates and the schedule for their visit to the community. That Wednesday, the council interviewed them, introduced them to department heads and took them on tours of the city. The next day, there was a series of public meet-and-greet sessions.

Although aware of the turmoil last summer surrounding now resigned Police Chief Clifton Couch and now retired City Administrator Howard Partington, all said they see great potential for growth and unity in Great Bend. They liked a progressive stand and desire to plan for the future.

Slavin Management Consultants of Atlanta, Ga., is the company in charge of the official search for candidates. It helped the City Council narrow down the field to those who best fit the needs of the community.