At a special meeting on Wednesday, July 5th, City Commissioners voted to hire Jim Thomas as the new City Manager.
The search for a new city manager has been ongoing since the departure of the previous City Manager, Dave Slezicky, who resigned in January 2023 to take on the role of City Manager at The Village in OKC. Slezicky had been in the position since 2012. In the interim, Town Clerk Brittany Hladik was appointed and has been acting as the City Manager.
The City hired Oklahoma Municipal Management Services (OMMS) to help fill this position. OMMS advertised the position and conducted background checks for candidates that were being considered.
On Wednesday, June 21st, Kingfisher City Commissioners met for four-and-a-half hours in an executive session regarding hiring a new city manager. Two candidates were interviewed during this time. The next week, a special meeting was held on Monday, June 26th, to hire one of the candidates. Commissioners met in executive session for a little over an hour. After reconvening, it was decided that they would table the decision.
Another special meeting was called for Wednesday, July 5th, to again go into executive session to “discuss the employment, hiring and/or appointment of the city manager” and “discussion and possible action to hire and enter into contract with the new city manager.” after reconvening.
On June 30th, a special meeting notice was posted at City Hall for a special meeting on July 5th. The scheduled business included “discussion and possible action to enter into executive session to discuss the employment, hiring, and/or appointment of the City Manager” and after exiting the executive session, “discussion and possible action to hire and enter into contract with the new City Manager.” It was decided that they will move forward with hiring Jim Thomas as the new City Manager.
Thomas, originally from Warwick, RI, has served in similar roles in 7 states. His last position was in Claremore, OK as City Manager from 2012-2020. He has held similar positions in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Utah.
In attendance were Dawn Taylor, Kyle Mecklenburg, Geoff Covalt, Debbie Burpo, and City Attorney Jared Harrison. Mayor Roxie Alexander was not present.