More Than 30 Apply to Be Thousand Oaks’ Manager

More than 30 government employees and business people have submitted resumes in hopes of becoming Thousand Oaks’ next city manager, but the woman who holds that title on an interim basis won’t divulge if her curriculum vitae is among them.

More than half the applicants are from California and most have strong credentials in city or county government, said Robert Murray, vice president of DMG Maximus executive search firm in Sacramento, which is receiving $20,000 to seek and evaluate talent.

“We have several outstanding people that have applied,” Murray said. “I’m feeling really positive about the caliber of candidate that has applied for the position. . . . The majority are from local government. There are a few entrepreneurial candidates of significant note in the candidate pool.”

So far, the names of the candidates are not being released.

Murray would not say if any applicants were in-house. Neither would interim City Manager MaryJane V. Lazz, who took over the post when Grant Brimhall, the city’s top bureaucrat for 20 years, retired in February.

Several council members have said that Lazz, known for her efficiency and behind-the-scenes work, would make a strong candidate for the job. Lazz, who is making $122,256 a year in her current post, would not reveal her intentions.

“I think we need to respect the process,” she said Thursday. “The process at this time is that all candidates are confidential.”

At this point, even City Council members do not know who the contenders are. After conducting interviews and preliminary reference checks, Murray will winnow the field and, on July 28, present the council with the top contenders.

Council members are to begin interviewing candidates in early September, with an eye toward hiring someone later in the month. Murray estimates that compensation for the new city manager will be close to what Brimhall was making--$132,000 a year, plus perks.

Councilwomen Linda Parks and Elois Zeanah have said they believe that the process is being rushed to beat the election, after which the council majority could shift.

Divisive politics notwithstanding, Murray said Thousand Oaks has much to lure qualified candidates.

“One, this is a city with an outstanding reputation for having been well-planned and well-managed since its incorporation,” he said Friday. “Two, it has a reputation among cities in California. And the compensation is competitive and the quality of life is outstanding. All those things together make a great opportunity for somebody.”