The City of Galesburg has made an offer to a candidate interested in being the next city manager, according to Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman.
WGIL reached out to Schwartzman early Monday to get a status update on the search for a city manager. Via email, the mayor said, “An offer has been made to a candidate.” He had no further comment.
The city manager recruitment process is being managed by GovHR. City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz, who serves as the primary staff liaison for the search, said the city received 21 applications for the position. There were no internal applicants, Bennewitz said.
“GovHR is providing comprehensive recruitment services, which would include the presentation of any offers to a candidate, as agreed upon by the City Council,” Bennewitz said.”As the city manager search process is still underway and variables are fluid, it would be the city’s intention to provide any additional information once variables are solidified.”
Former Galesburg Police Chief John Schlaf is serving as interim city manager after a series of changes in leadership since Todd Thompson departed in May of 2022 to accept the position of Rock Island city manager. At that time, Wayne Carl served as the interim city manager until the hiring of Gerald Smith as city manager in November 2022. In June 2023, the Galesburg City Council approved a separation agreement with Smith, and Steve Gugliotta served as acting city manager until Wayne Carl was again hired in July 2023 to serve as interim city manager.
Carl notified city officials Aug. 9 that he was resigning the position effective Sept. 8 for “personal reasons.” Carl returned from retirement to assume the role of interim city manager on July 5. The former longtime director of Public Works had just retired from the city March 24 after 22 years in various roles.
GovHR — the previous recruitment firm used by Galesburg to find a city manager — is contractually obligated to conduct another search given Smith did not fulfill a year in the position.
