HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-24-2008-6dORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 24, 2008
Action Agenda
Item No. _~'~~
SUBJECT: To Approve Selection of an Executive Search Consultant for the County
Attorney Position
DEPARTMENT: County Manager
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
RFP for County Attorney Position
List of Executive Search Consulting Firms
Proposed Timetable for Process
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura Blackmon, County Manager,
245-2306
Michael McGinnis, HR Director,
245-2552
PURPOSE: To approve a process for the review and selection of an Executive Search
Consultant for the County Attorney position.
BACKGROUND: For the last 30 years, the legal services for the County have been provided
under contract with a private local attorney. The incumbent has recently informed the Board of
County Commissioners of his intention to retire from this responsibility effective December 2008.
While the arrangement with the current private attorney of long standing has been beneficial for
the County, it is proposed the County employ an in-house attorney as his successor. The
position would still answer directly to the Board of County Commissioners and would be
empowered by the Board to employ staff necessary to provide competent legal services.
To ensure the best results in filling this position, it is recommended the County engage an
executive recruiting consultant to conduct a national search to identify qualified candidates for
the BOCC to interview and select the next county attorney. A proposed Request for Proposals
(RFP) is provided at Attachment 1 as well as a list of consulting firms with experience in
recruiting this type of position at Attachment 2. Attachment 3 is staff's proposed timetable for
completing the entire process prior to December 2008. With the Board taking a summer break,
the consultant needs to be selected and ready to present the recruitment advertisement and
timetable for hiring the new County Attorney to -the Board for its approval in August.
Two possible alternatives to expedite this process over the summer break are:
1. All Commissioners receive the submitted proposals from the Executive Search
Consultants. The Chair and Vice Ghair review the submitted proposals and, after
receiving any comments from other Commissioners, select an Executive Search
Consultant on behalf of the Board; or
2
2. All Commissioners receive the submitted proposals from the Executive Search
Consultants. The Chair calls a special meeting on or before August 1 for the review
and selection of an Executive Search Consultant.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Based on previous consultant services of this type staff estimates the
consultant fee will not exceed $25,000. These funds will need to be included in the FY 2008-09
budget.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board determine which process will
be most expedient over the summer break and direct staff to begin the process of advertising for
the Executive Search Consultant.
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Request for Proposal
Conduct an Executive Search for Orange County, NC
Purpose
Orange County is seeking a consulting firm to conduct the recruitment and assist in the
selection process for the position of County Attorney.
Scope of Services
Orange County is seeking two proposals, and intends to award one of the two options:
1. Conducting the entire process: recruitment, screening the applications, screening the
candidates, and referring the top 3 candidates.
2. Conducting the recruitment, screening the applications, and referring the top 20
applications.
Background
The County Attorney position is currently being held by an attorney in private practice working
under contract with Orange County. The incumbent has been providing this service for over
30 years and has recently decided to retire. It is the County's intent to staff this position
internally and to not have these legal serviced provided by an external contract with a private
attorney. At this point the incumbent will be retiring prior to January 1, 2009.
Proposal Requirements
Please be sure to include:
• An outline of the services you would be providing, as well as a projected timetable
• References, with emphasis on executive search work on behalf of North Carolina
jurisdictions
• Identify resources and staff that will be dedicated to the completion of work
• Cost Quotation, inclusive of all estimated expenses for both options
• Your availability to begin work
Inquiries regarding the Request for Proposal should be directed to Donna Baker, County Clerk
at 919-245-2130 or Email : dbaker _co.orange.nc.us
10 hardcopies and one electronic copy of Proposals are to be submitted to Donna
Baker, County Clerk, by noon on Monday, July 15, 2008.
Send submittal to: dbaker(a~co.orange.nc.us or
PO Box 8181
200 South Cameron Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Executive Search Consultant List for the County Attorney Position
Review of Executive Search Consulting Firms was made to determine the best vendors to
consider for the County Attorney recruitment process. The review included contact with
the NC Bar Association, League of Municipalities, School of Government and an online
search. Human Resources also did a review of the vendor websites for those consulting
groups that have been identified in this process.
Prospective Consultants Identified to Receive Request for Proposals to Conduct an
Executive Search for the County Attorney Position.
Bennett Yarger Associates
Plymouth, MA
The Mercer Group, Inc.
Consultant is in NC
The Brimeyer Group
Hopkins, MN
The PAR Group
Lake Bluff, IL
Slavin Management Consultants, Inc
Norcross, GA
Springsted
Saint Paul, MN
Waters-Oldani Executive Recruitment
Dallas, TX
Proposed Recruitment and Selection Process Timetable
for County Attorney Position
Board Approves Recommendation to Select Executive 6/24/08
Search Consultant
HR Sends out RFP to Selected Executive Search Consultant 6/25/08
County Clerk Receives Proposal up to Closing Date of 7/15/08 6/25-7/15/08
Chair Calls Special August Meeting if Board Request
Board Makes Selection of Executive Search Consultant
Executive Search Vendor Begins work of Process
Board Receives Weekly Update From Vendor
Board Develops Process & Conducts Interviews of Applicants
Board interviews Finalists Makes Selection
By August 1
By August 1
8/11/08
8/18-9/15/08
9/23-9/26/08
10/1/08
Reference Checked and Board Makes Offer 10/6/08
County Attorney is Hired and Assumes Position 11/1/08