Lakewood names five city manager finalists as public feedback opens
Lakewood is seeking public feedback on five city manager finalists through Aug. 6, when residents can attend a reception or submit written comments.
Lakewood has narrowed its search for a new city manager to five finalists and opened a public-input period before the City Council chooses a successor to Kathy Hodgson.
The finalists, announced July 21, are Heather Balser, Jonathan Cain, Larry Dorr, José Madrigal and Jason Slowinski. The council, not residents directly, will make the final selection.
Five finalists bring different municipal backgrounds
Heather Balser is chief financial officer for Lafayette and previously served as city manager in Louisville, Colorado, and town manager in Kennebunk, Maine. Her background includes municipal finance, budgeting, transportation, strategic planning and infrastructure projects, according to the City of Lakewood finalist announcement.
Jonathan Cain is Nederland’s town manager and zoning administrator. His experience includes land use, emergency response, economic development, affordable housing, transportation and infrastructure work in Nederland and Idaho Springs.
Larry Dorr is deputy city manager for Westminster, overseeing departments including finance, information technology, human resources and community services. He previously spent nearly two decades in Lakewood’s finance department and worked on long-term fiscal planning, revenue measures and redevelopment projects including Belmar.
José Madrigal is city manager of Durango, where he oversees municipal operations, about 450 full-time employees and a $170 million annual budget. His earlier roles in Texas included work in public works, strategic services, economic development and city administration.
Jason Slowinski is associate vice president of operations at Colorado School of Mines. His responsibilities include campus operations, capital planning, public safety, facilities and sustainability. He previously served as city manager of Golden and held municipal leadership roles in Illinois.
Residents can review finalists through Aug. 6
Lakewood’s public participation page says finalist video interviews and a resident survey were posted July 28. Residents can review the candidates’ biographies and interviews before submitting feedback to the council.
The city has scheduled a public reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park Visitor Center. The finalists will be stationed throughout the visitor center so residents can speak with each of them. No RSVP is required.
All written comments must be submitted by 10 p.m. Aug. 6. The feedback will be provided to the City Council, but it is not a public vote and does not bind the council’s decision.
Why the position affects city services
Lakewood uses a council-manager form of government. The elected council sets policy and direction, approves ordinances and budgets, and hires the city manager. The manager directs city departments and staff, oversees daily operations and puts council policies into action, according to the city’s government explainer.
That means the appointment will shape how Lakewood’s government carries out decisions involving services, staffing, transportation, public safety, development and other municipal responsibilities.
Interim leadership is also being addressed
The transition follows Hodgson’s planned summer retirement after almost 18 years as city manager and 46 years of service to Lakewood. The city says her official retirement date will depend on the transition plan, according to its retirement announcement.
A July 27 City Council meeting agenda included an item to appoint an interim city manager and establish compensation for the interim service. The public meeting record identifies the matter as an agenda item; the materials reviewed for this article do not confirm that the appointment was finalized.
For now, the city manager search remains in the public-input stage. Residents who want their comments considered should review the finalist materials and submit feedback before the 10 p.m. Aug. 6 deadline.
Sources
- City of Lakewood finalist announcement
- Lakewood Together public participation page
- Lakewood Speaks interim city manager agenda item
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