NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Since the Hutchinson City Council chose not to renew City Manager Jeff Cantrell's contract, they have a lot of work to do in a short time to get a temporary replacement in place.
"We did identify some potential interim candidates," said Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho. "I'll be reaching out to those individuals. We are meeting again in executive session next Tuesday at 2 p.m. So, we'll discuss any candidates and hope to have a contract for that person by the next city council meeting on the 17th."
Cantrell's contract will be up before that meeting happens.
"We'll also be walking through with the HR director some potential scenarios for an executive search, which firm we want to utilize for that," Piros de Carvalho said. "We want to move swiftly."
Cities in Kansas generally have to have their budgets filed in August.
"We have some incredibly important business to do in the interim," Piros de Carvalho said. "The budgeting process typically begins around mid-May. Department heads get their budget requests in by May 11. We need to start having study sessions on the budget pretty much immediately."
This year could be a difficult budget year as costs for goods continue to be impacted by inflation and there are several potential large expenditures like the Woodie Seat Freeway that haven't had final decisions made.