Laketown Township is set to enter negotiations with a managerial candidate.
The Laketown Board of Trustees conducted a second interview with finalist Stephanie Fox on July 21, then voted 4-1 to negotiate a contract with her.
Fox’s employment is pending agreement on a compensation package and successful review of her references, according to the motion. An update is expected during the board’s workshop meeting Aug. 6.
Fox is currently executive assistant to the mayor of Kentwood, a role she’s held since 2023. Before that, she was administrator of Ionia County for over a decade, preceded by time spent as the municipality’s finance director.
After first-round interviews with four candidates on July 14, narrowed from 45 applicants, Fox was chosen as the lone selection for a second interview.
Fox participated in several events prior to her interview July 21, including a meet-and-greet with residents at Graafschap Fire Department, lunch with municipal staff and a tour of Laketown Township.
Her second interview is available to watch on YouTube under @LaketownTownship.
Search consultant Ryan Cotton of MGT told officials post-interview that Fox’s background check came back with “no issues” found. He said four references provided by Fox had been contacted.
Laketown Supervisor and Interim Manager Steven Ringelberg asked Cotton if redacted summaries of those conversations, removing identifying information, could be provided. Cotton said yes, but added it could take “a few days.”
A motion by Ringelberg to have those reports provided passed 4-1, with Mike Koeman voting against.
Ringelberg said trustees “all have a good impression” of Fox, but noted reviewing the reports is part of their due diligence in the “most important role” of hiring a manager.
Koeman made a motion to begin negotiations with Fox, pending the board’s agreement on compensation and review of the reports. The motion was supported by Mark Timmerman.
It passed 4-1, with Koeman, Timmerman, Treasurer Jim Johnson and Clerk Jim Delaney voting in favor and Ringelberg voting against.
A long manager search
Laketown is searching for a permanent replacement for former manager Al Meshkin, who retired in January after 35 years.
In 2024, a committee of then-trustees and candidates running unopposed in the fall election conducted first- and second-round interviews with initial managerial candidates.
Two of those candidates — Allegan County Clerk Bob Genetski and Bronson City Manager Brandon Mersman — were eventually offered the job. But after a series of disagreements between returning and newly elected officials, both candidates withdrew from consideration.
The board restarted the search in June, with applications due July 3. Candidates selected for interviews included Fox, Park Township Manager Howard Fink, GFD Captain David Grumney and former Ocean Ridge, Florida, Manager Lynne Radner.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Laketown votes 4-1 to enter negotiations with managerial candidate. Here’s what we know
Reporting by Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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