Growing City of Mebane in Central NC Seeks City Manager
Closing date: October 1, 2024
Known for its engaging, collaborative, and inclusive work culture, the City of Mebane, NC seeks a highly experienced municipal government manager to serve as its next City Manager. In collaboration with a high-performing and loyal Assistant City Manager, who is not seeking the position, Mebane’s next City Manager will lead a team of 167 hard-working full-time equivalent staff with nine direct reports, to include the Assistant City Manager and the City Attorney. The Assistant City Manager has seven direct reports, to include oversight of the engineering department, which is contracted through a local firm.
The successful candidate will be skilled in strategic planning and visioning, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), debt commitments, increasing revenue, and enhancing communication, productivity, and efficiency through systemic changes. A key role as the Manager is to proactively prepare the City for exciting growth, educating the City Council on all growth impacts and how they relate to vision and goal-setting, long-term planning, and budgetary and financial needs.
This position is for seasoned municipal managers with passion and enthusiasm to join a community proud of its accomplishments, positive about its future, and protective of its charming atmosphere. The successful candidate’s repertoire includes strategic planning and visioning, Capital Improvement Projects, debt commitments, increasing revenue, enhancing communication, productivity, and efficiency through systemic changes.
The ideal City Manager is approachable, naturally flexible, and adaptable in their working style and thoughtful and strategic in their problem-solving and conflict-resolution methods. This person is responsive, detailed, and deadline-oriented, and continuously monitors and engages in process improvement in this service-driven organization. The ideal City Manager is passionate, enthusiastic, and protective of the community’s positively charming atmosphere.
About the Community:
Incorporated in 1881 as Mebanesville, the City's name was officially changed to Mebane in 1883. From a population of 218 in 1900 to nearly 21,400 today, the City of Mebane’s rich history as an industrial hub for tobacco, furniture, and apparel continues to propel the city forward. The City is anticipating growth of over 25,000 people by 2030. Located in Alamance and Orange Counties and near the capital city of Raleigh, Mebane is a short drive from the mountains to the west and the coast to the east.
About the Organization and Position:
Operating under a Council-Manager form of government, the City Manager reports to the Mayor and five at-large Council members. The Council is a strong and diverse group, with some members serving Mebane for decades, along with some new to public office. Marked by teamwork and trust amidst their respective different opinions, Council appreciates the past while forging ahead into the future.
Mebane’s recent growth has increased demands on City services, the cost of which is reflected in the City’s FY24 - 25 proposed budget of $32.5M for the General Fund, which includes a $2.3 million fund balance appropriation to balance the budget. The budget is supported by a property tax rate of $.37 per $100.
The City of Mebane provides many services, including water and sewer, while contracting other services. An enterprise fund accounts for the city’s water and sewer services. Mebane owns a water resources recovery facility/wastewater treatment plant, along with a water reservoir and water treatment operations that are co-owned/operated with the nearby City of Graham. There is also an interlocal agreement with the City of Graham for capacity in Graham’s wastewater treatment plant.
The City’s long-range plans, which support the City’s future growth, include comprehensive plans for land development, bicycle and pedestrian transportation, automobile transportation, and a downtown vision plan. As the City grows, the City Manager will spearhead efforts to prepare Mebane for its future, evaluating the needs and impact of growth on the City’s human capital, water capacity, infrastructure and financial resources while ensuring the balance of new development with the preservation of the City’s history and heritage.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a larger to nearly equal sized community of municipal government management at the Assistant City Manager level, or City Manager in an equivalent-sized local government organization or at the department head level in a larger organization.
Preferred qualifications include familiarity with NC municipal management, a master’s degree, and ICMA credentialing.
Salary and Benefits: The hiring range for the position is $200,000 - $250,000. The starting salary is cThe City of Mebane offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, State retirement, a 401k retirement savings plan, an annual service bonus, tuition assistance, and tax-free reimbursement accounts. The City Manager is required to establish residency within the corporate limits of the City within a period of twelve (12) months from date of employment.
All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) – NOT the City of Mebane employment application portal or any other external website.
Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.
Applicants should apply by October 1, 2024.
The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to virtual interviews and skill evaluations on November 7-8, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.
In-person interviews for the final candidates will be held November 15-16, 2024.
The City of Mebane is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/ and scroll down to “Important Information for Applicants.”