Local link key in choice for manager search firm

A local connection swayed the Laketown Township Board of Trustees toward one of five firms seeking to help find a replacement for the retiring township manager.

The board on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, unanimously accepted a proposal from GovHR/MGT of America Consulting LLC.

The proposal includes interviews with stakeholders in the township, community forums and surveys, advertisement for the position, coordinating interviews for candidates, background screening and references checks.

The process is expected to take about 14 weeks and cost about $25,000.

Other proposals came in from Amy Cell Talent, Strategic Government Resources, Baker Tilly Advisory Group LP, and Welsh & Associates.

Current Manager Al Meshkin announced his retirement on July 3 after 35 years serving the township. His last day will be Jan. 3, 2025.

GovHR has a strong local connection that impressed board members. The company’s project manager and main point of contact is Ryan Cotton, a former city manager for Holland.

“He has a very strong experience in the Holland area,” said Treasurer Jim Johnson.

Cotton was Holland city manager from 2012 to 2017.He was also city manager of Grand Haven and village manager of Spring Lake.

Knowing the West Michigan area – “that’s huge,” Trustee Patrick Dietrich said at a board workshop on Aug. 7.

Trustee Jim Delaney asked what role a newly elected board will have in hiring Meshkin’s replacement.

Supervisor Linda Howell said the current board is starting the replacement process, but the new board will most likely make the final hiring decision in December at its first meeting.

Delaney won the August primary for the clerk’s position and Johnson ran unopposed for treasurer. Steven Ringelberg won the supervisor position. Mark Timmerman and Michael Koeman won trustee positions. All will run in November.

Clerk transition

Clerk Amber Davis, who lost her seat in the August primary, wished Delaney the best in his upcoming role, offering him a chance to job shadow her so he can learn election procedures.

“The most important and time-consuming statutory duties of this role are overseeing the administration of our elections, the maintenance and upkeep of our official election documents and the managing of voter registration,” Davis wrote in a letter to Delaney shared with the board before the Wednesday, Aug. 14, meeting.

Delaney thanked Davis for the letter. Read the letter here.

The November election offers a hands-on learning experience.

“Job shadowing leading up to this election will present you the opportunity to understand the Michigan Election Law, set-up, processes, procedures and operations that precede an election,” she wrote.

Laketown Township has one of the highest election participation rates in Allegan County. The township has three election precincts in two locations – the township hall at 4338 Beeline Road and Graafschap Fire Station, 4534 60^th St. For more on township elections, visit here.