Rehoboth Beach begins evaluating city manager applications

A couple of months after the departure of former City Manager Sharon Lynn, Rehoboth Beach officials have begun reviewing applications to fill her seat.

Commissioners and a representative from an executive search firm conducted an executive session July 19 to evaluate the first batch of candidates.

Hired in 2013, Lynn announced in March she was leaving; her last day was in early May. Assistant City Manager Evan Miller, a position created during this year’s budgeting process, is serving as interim city manager.

To help find Lynn’s replacement, the city hired executive search firm Raftelis. A job posting was approved in May by the mayor and commissioners. Soon after that, it was posted on the city website.

Commissioner Patrick Gossett is the city’s liaison with Raftelis. In addition to posting on the website, Gossett said, Raftelis shared the job announcement with several university alumni networks across the country and reached out to more than 900 tailored applicants through a combination of targeted emails and phone calls.

Catherine Tuck-Parrish, search consultant for Raftelis, said, “There has been a very robust response with more than 40 applications received so far, indicating that the Rehoboth Beach city manager position is very attractive to many qualified candidates.”

According to the hiring pamphlet on the city’s website, the annual salary, depending on experience, is $140,000 to $175,000.

When Lynn was hired in 2013, her salary was $120,000. During a meeting in August 2019, commissioners quadrupled her severance package and gave her a raise to $136,000. By the time Lynn left in May, her salary was $141,250.

At the time of the meeting in 2019, City Solicitor Glenn Mandalas said nothing in Lynn’s contract was set in stone for the next city manager. However, he said, the contract would probably be viewed as a starting point. 

“The price range advertised makes the city competitive and attractive, we hope, to top candidates,” said Gossettt. “The job of city manager is becoming increasingly complex. Like everything else, the cost of a good city manager has only increased since 2019.”

Gossett said when the applicant vetting process is complete, the mayor and commissioners will select a group of candidates for virtual interviews. After that round of interviews, he said, a group of finalists will be interviewed in person.

It’s not known when the city will announce Lynn’s permanent replacement. Gossett said the application process is still open. The timing of the selection is dependent on the availability of candidates for interviews, the decision of the mayor and commissioners, and agreement upon an employment contract, he said.

Commissioners have scheduled a second executive session to continue discussing candidates for 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 27.