Camas ends search without selecting a new city administrator

The search for a new Camas city administrator came up empty as none of the five finalists were selected to fill the position.

City officials announced today that the “thorough and intensive” search, which officially began in May with a call for applications, had concluded.

“Although all finalists demonstrated talent, knowledge and drive, the Mayor did not find any of the finalists as suitable to the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead for the City of Camas,” said a statement issued by the city today.

The top two finalists, Erik Jensen of Portland, the former administration department director for the City of Hillsboro, Ore., and Craig Martin of Sweet Home, Ore., current Sweet Home city manager were interviewed by Higgins on Thursday, July 12.

The other finalists included Steven Marshall, of Camas, current principal of Camas High School; Paul Schmidt, of Cheney, Wash., former city administrator for the City of Oak Harbor, Wash.; and Martin Snell, of Camas, current Clark County Community Development director and former City of Camas planning manager.

Although after 23 years on the job Halverson had originally planned to retire from full-time work in September, now he will continue to serve as city administrator through early spring 2013.

“This is an important position for the city and for the future,” Higgins said in a statement. “After a reflective pause, I will give a lot of focus and energy to this matter.

“We will get this right; I will appoint a person who is a very good fit for the position, the community and the future.”