List includes two internal candidates
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
While the list was evolving as of Tuesday night, seven finalists have been identified for the Burlington city administrator position.
Two of the seven finalists are from out of state, while two others are internal candidates from current city staff. The other three are from the southern Wisconsin area.
City of Burlington Director of Public Works Craig Workman was named a finalist, as was Megan Watkins – director of administrative services for the city.
Also on the list of seven are: James Krischke of Republic, Mo.; Carina Walters of Fox Lake, Ill.; John Weidl of East Troy; Steven Wilke of Lake Mills; and Brian Wilson of Beloit.
Krischke is the administrator for Republic, while Walters is the assistant administrator in the City of Lake Forest. Weidl was named village administrator for Mukwonago in 2013, and Wilke is the city manager for Lake Mills.
Wilson is the administrator for the Town of Beloit.
The city had a total of 55 applicants for the position left open when Kevin Lahner unexpectedly announced in November he was leaving to take the same position in Waukesha.
After settling with Lahner regarding a payout clause on his contract – the Common Council cut in half the amount Lahner owed by leaving early, taking it down to $25,000 – the city began its search for the replacement.
City staff initially planned on naming six finalists, and then bringing them in for the next step in the process. However, two dropped out of the process since the list was narrowed to six, and Mayor Bob Miller called the situation “fluid” Tuesday night.
“What’s there is solid as of right now,” said Miller. “A minute from now, it may not be.”
Miller announced at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting that closed interviews among the seven candidates and city aldermen would take place Monday, with a public meet-and-greet session scheduled for Monday evening.
Both events will be held at Veterans Terrace, as will Tuesday’s assessment center. The search firm of Gov HR will put the seven candidates through several different challenges to see how they handle themselves, and then grade their responses.
Miller told the council that he hoped to meet in closed session Tuesday night to determine three finalists for the position, and then complete those interviews the next day.
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They never should have allowed Lahner to just walk away from the city like he did and not pay what his initial negotiated contract stated. It’s a system in the Burlington Community designed of “who you know”
Exactly. And NO way should Workman or Watkins be considered being part of Lahner’s gang that cant shoot straight. This bloated city is top heavy, gives away money to friends, and cannot even budget to remove snow and ice properly.
Taylor. I really feel that you have no room to criticize anyone. As I remember it, when you were on the school board, you missed numerous meetings. Were you not elected to be there at the meetings and represent the people that elected you?
Wait. There is a city administrator and a “director of administrative services”? ha ha ha Get somebody in here who will cut out these redundant positions Lahner created and stuff we dont need like the new fire chief position.
But instead well hire a Miller drinking buddy I’m sure.
Sorry to tell you but Miller isn’t a big drinker! Like you probably!
This is a lofty decision that the city needs to make and it should be done very judiciously.
The ramifications of this hiring will help determine the city’s future, so officials shouldn’t feel as if they need to pull the trigger on this process immediately.
Scrutinize all candidates carefully and give this decision the credence it so rightfully deserves.
Take your time and make the right voice immediately, as opposed to making a regretful decision! As the adage goes, “Haste makes waste.”