Englewood council names Dodd interim manager, selects firm for permanent search

Englewood City Council on Aug. 3 unanimously appointed Deputy City Manager Tim Dodd as interim city manager and voted 6-1 to select CPS HR Consulting to recruit a permanent successor to City Manager Shawn Lewis, who plans to retire Aug. 31.

After an executive session, the council voted 7-0 to elevate Dodd, the meeting recording shows. The available record does not specify Dodd’s effective date, interim authority, formal end date or whether the appointment includes separate compensation or other employment terms.

Several council members supported Dodd but criticized the selection process. Council member Rita Russell said the council had “huge concerns about how this whole process went down” and argued that decisions had been made individually rather than by the council acting as a corporate body. Council member Tina Pring said communications about interest in the interim role had been unclear. Council member Steven Ward said the city charter identifies the council’s direct hires but does not prescribe a detailed process for an appointment like this. Council member Jack Bethel said not all council members had been consulted about a circulated list of potential candidates.

The council’s 6-1 selection of CPS HR Consulting covers the city-manager recruitment. Council agenda materials say the city issued its request for proposals July 16, received proposals July 30 and anticipated awarding the contract in August. CPS proposed completing the recruitment in 14 to 16 weeks after the contract is executed. The record does not state when that will happen or provide dates for finalist interviews, a recommended appointment or the permanent manager’s start.

The council had postponed the interim-manager discussion from its July 20 meeting to Aug. 3. Lewis’ planned retirement was previously announced by the city. The vote fills the interim role as the permanent search proceeds, but the search’s specific milestones remain unsettled.