City attorney selection process moves forward

Jefferson City attorney, Drew Hilpert, submitted his resignation in June 2016, effective in early August, to take a counselor's job with Springfield City Utilities.
Jefferson City attorney, Drew Hilpert, submitted his resignation in June 2016, effective in early August, to take a counselor's job with Springfield City Utilities.

Jefferson City is looking for a new city attorney and a dedicated committee is expected to begin interviewing candidates next week.

At the City Counselor Selection Committee meeting Tuesday, members discussed the process moving forward as they evaluate the 17 applicants for the city attorney position. Jefferson City officials have put together the committee to make a recommendation to Mayor Carrie Tergin on replacing current city attorney Drew Hilpert.

Hilpert announced his resignation last month, and his last day is planned for Aug. 2. He has accepted a job as senior utility counsel with City Utilities of Springfield.

The committee went through the job description and discussed how the process would move forward, starting with narrowing the list of the initial 17 candidates to those the committee would like to interview. Human Resources Director Gail Strope suggested having the first round of interviews next week and then deciding how the committee wants to proceed then, whether it be a written evaluation, a second round of interviews, a final recommendation or a recommendation to re-advertise the position.

Strope said the committee could recommend several candidates or just one, depending on the quality of applicants.

"Let's kind of go with the flow," Strope said.

Before going into closed session to begin looking over the job applications, the committee appointed 3rd Ward Councilman Ken Hussey as spokesman and discussed the attributes needed in a city attorney. Some of the attributes discussed were experience dealing with boards and commissions, ability to give candid advice, good writing skills and knowledge of local, state and federal laws.

Also discussed was having good people skills, as the position can be very public. Mark Comley said the city attorney is a noted ambassador for the city, which is an important aspect of the job. Fifth Ward Councilman Larry Henry said the position often has to communicate with the public and the media.

"It's not a closed door, closed meeting position," Henry said.