Leadership Shift in City Hall: Crandall to Step Down July 25
ICMA national post draws Hilliard’s top administrator; City Council weighs next steps under charter rules
Hilliard City Council has until July 24 to appoint an acting city manager to succeed Michelle Crandall, who on May 27 announced her resignation as city manager, effective July 25.
According to the Section 4.03 of the City Charter, “Council may appoint by resolution, an acting city manager during the city manager’s temporary absence, disability, or when the position is vacant until City Council appoints a permanent city manager in accordance with Section 4.01 of the City Charter.”
Section 4.01 concerns the appointment, removal and qualifications of city officials and states that the city manager shall be appointed by the City Council and two-thirds of its members, rather than a simple majority, is required for the appointment.
It continues, “The city manager shall be chosen solely on the basis of professional qualifications and knowledge of the duties, standards and accepted practices of the office.”
Section 4.03 continues, “Until council takes action (under 4.01), the mayor shall be the acting city manager during any absence, disability, or vacancy of the city manager position.”
This provision would allow City Council President Tina Cottone, who also serves as mayor in her auspices as president of City Council, to serve as the acting city manager until a permanent appointment is made.
The language concerning the mayor to serve as acting city manager exists in the event of an immediate need to fill the position but City Council will determine how the position is filled, with or without the need for an acting city manager, according to David Ball, community relations director.
If history is an indicator, City Council could utilize professional services to undertake a regional or national search for a successor for Crandall.
Crandall began serving as Hilliard’s first city manager Jan. 1, 2020 after the Hilliard electorate, in November 2018, approved an amendment to the city charter to replace the strong mayor form of city government with that of a city manager.
The move aligned Hilliard with most other central Ohio municipalities of comparable size that employed an appointed city manager rather than an elected mayor as its chief operating officer, including Upper Arlington, New Albany, Worthington, Westerville, and Dublin, where Crandall served as the assistant city manager prior to her hire as Hilliard’s city manager.
Crandall’s current contract, extended once since the initial contract, extends through the end of 2026.
In December 2023, City Council approved a salary increase for Crandall.
Crandall’s annual salary in 2024 increased to $225,737 from $212,960, according to Ball.
Hilliard has two assistant city managers, both with the professional accreditation to fill the role permanently: Dan Ralley and Kyle Kridler.
Professional Development Calls
Crandall resigned to accept the job as Chief Member Services Officer of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
“Hilliard is an amazing community with an incredibly talented, innovative, and dedicated team of city employees. I am proud of all we have accomplished together during my time here. I leave here knowing that we have co-created a culture that honors the ideas, contributions and talents of all of our staff members and that results in exceptional services and safety services for all of our community members,” Crandall said.
Julia Novak, CEO and executive director of the International City/County Management Association considers Crandall a good fit for stepping into a first-of-its-kind role for the organization.
“ICMA is fortunate to have an engaged and committed ICMA Member joining us as the organization’s first Chief Member Services Officer. It is fitting that someone who has spent their career dedicated to providing exceptional local government services would end their direct service in the profession by joining the professional organization committed to supporting professional local government, globally,” Novak said.
The mission of the ICMA, according to its Website, is to support its more than 13,000 member local government professionals.