NEWMAN — The Newman City Council next week will consider approving a contract with Ralph Andersen & Associates to lead the recruitment of the city’s next city manager, following the announcement that City Manager Michael Holland will retire at the end of the year.

The proposed agreement, capped at $29,000, would authorize the firm to conduct a full executive search and allow Holland to execute the contract. A budget adjustment is included to cover the cost.

City staff solicited proposals from three firms experienced in municipal executive recruitment — Bob Murray & Associates, Peckham & McKenney, and Ralph Andersen & Associates — and evaluated them based on qualifications, scope of work, placement guarantees and cost. Ralph Andersen & Associates submitted the lowest bid at $29,000, compared to $29,900 and $30,000 from the other firms.

The firm also proposed Project Director Fred Wilson to lead the search. Wilson has conducted more than 100 executive recruitments and previously served as city manager of Huntington Beach for a decade, giving him direct experience in the role Newman is seeking to fill.

According to the staff report, Ralph Andersen & Associates has completed more than 40 city manager recruitments in California since 2020 and is currently managing two additional searches. The firm offers a one‑year placement guarantee: if the selected candidate resigns or is dismissed for cause within a year, or if the initial recruitment does not result in a hire, the firm will conduct a second search at no cost.

The recruitment is expected to take 90 to 120 days from the time the agreement is executed, which staff said would allow the city to identify finalists before Holland’s departure and ensure a smooth transition.

The council will vote on the agreement at its upcoming meeting.