Following an unsuccessful nationwide recruitment effort earlier this year to hire a permanent city manager, Newark City Council voted at its November 12 meeting to have acting city manager Tom Coleman participate in the public portion of the search process. Coleman has held the interim position since May 2017, and previously served as the City's Public Works and Water Resources director for three years. He has worked for the City since 2011.

Below is the proposed recruitment schedule, with a public engagement opportunity noted in bold:

• December 3, 11 a.m. - Presentation and structured interview with Department Heads; the presentation will be recorded and posted on the website for public viewing. Feedback will be requested to be submitted to GovHR by noon on December 4, to be compiled and provided to Council.
• December 3, at 7 p.m. - Public question and answer session, which will be livestreamed, with meet and greet event with the public to follow. Feedback will be requested to be submitted to GovHR by noon on December 4, to be compiled and provided to Council. 
• December 4, at 5 p.m. - Council meeting in executive session with GovHR to discuss feedback and next steps. Potential motions will be advertised, as needed.

 Please note: the department head event is not a public event. Any votes will be made in public session. More information on the City Manager search is available online. Residents with questions can email them to AskNewark@newark.de.us.