Advertising for council CEO could cost ratepayers $150,000

Behind the scenes, councillor support is steadily growing to advertise the role of current chief executive Anthony Schinck but North Ward councillor Vicki Coltman warned the financial ramifications would be excessive. 

She said thousands of dollars would be required for independent consulting fees and the appointment of a recruitment company to advertise the role and interview applicants.    

Meanwhile, Councillors Samanatha McIntosh, Amy Johnson and Jim Rinaldi are pushing for the contract to be advertised.

Cr Rinaldi said he believed the council had an obligation to the people of Ballarat to advertise the role.

“Mr Schinck is welcome to reapply,” he said.

Cr McIntosh said an transparent and open recruitment process was paramount.   

"It's always been my view that with any successful organisation you need to open the opportunity up to get the best person for the job,” she said. “In this situation it is critical we advertise to seek the best person." 

Cr Belinda Coates said she was also leaning towards advertising the role while Cr Amy Johnson said the market needed to be tested to ensure the best person was appointed. 

However, Cr Coltman said a change in leadership could leave the council in turmoil for up to two years.

"A new person could change the stability of the organisation,” Cr Coltman said. “It may impact the credibility of the council when it seeks to lobby both levels of government around major infrastructure and issues like rate capping.”

She said there was also a risk senior management staff could exit the organisation.  

“Research shows when a change like this occurs in any business up to a third of management can leave an organisation,” Cr Coltman said. “It is a huge risk.” 

Cr Vicki Coltman remained tight-lipped on the way she intended to vote but dismissed talk of a "done deal" over Mr Schinck's reappointment.

"As a council we may indicate how we may vote but we do not make a decision before all information is heard,” she said.

She said councillors cannot be held accountable for comments made by former mayor John Burt on a discussion between him and Mr Schinck. In 2012, Mr Burt vowed Mr Schinck would leave the job after two years.

"It’s a different time and space for council,” Cr Coltman said.

“A lot has changed and we need to be looking at the current situation.”

However, Cr McIntosh disputed claims a new chief executive would be detrimental.

"We would be seeking somebody that had intricate knowledge of current infrastructure projects in the city and who understood issues like rate capping and how to lobby state and federal government," she said.

Ballarat Mayor John Philips said the council had been compliant with the Local Government Act throughout the process and a decision would be made at the in-camera vote on August 8.

Cr Peter Innes declined to comment and Councillors Des Hudson, Glen Crompton could not be reached.