The first choice to become the city’s inspector general declined the job last week.
The second choice turned it down Tuesday.
Where does that leave the city and, in particular, the Inspector General Selection and Retention Committee?
“So, I’m not sure where we are, but it’s not a good place,” said City Council Vice President John Crescimbeni, when announcing the latest news to council members Tuesday night. He is vice chair of the selection committee.
The latest setback came when Scott Ando, former head of the Independent Review Authority in Chicago, declined the job.
He was the second choice of the committee after interviews last week, but was concerned about the office’s size and budget of just under $1 million, as well as the city’s commitment to ensuring the office was set up to succeed.
Days before, James Hoffman, a Navy general counsel and the committee’s first choice, declined an offer because of timing.
Two leading candidates up. Two leading candidates down.
“It’s disappointing,” said Kerri Stewart, Mayor Lenny Curry’s chief of staff who represents the administration on the committee.
Stewart said the situation is frustrating because the committee thought highly of both candidates.
She wasn’t on the committee last year when it selected the first inspector general, Tom Cline, but heard it was equally as difficult. He resigned in April.
And while that didn’t work out the way officials hoped, knowing what qualities are sought for such a key role in city government is important, she said.
“We have a better idea of what we don’t want,” said Stewart, “which gives us an ability to articulate what we do want.”
Even if that means going through “growing pains” of not immediately having a long-term answer for the position. Stewart said she would rather get it right than realize in a couple of years the office isn’t working and mistakes were made.
The next chapter of getting it right might be determined next month.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Senterfitt, chair of the committee, has asked about member availability on Oct. 14, 17 or 18 for a meeting.
Stewart said it will provide the board an opportunity to regroup and determine the best way forward.
However, before moving forward, the committee might take the opportunity to revisit the past.
Richard David Holmgren, most recently a deputy inspector general for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, was one of the original seven candidates who were to be interviewed last week.
Holmgren, in a letter to Crescimbeni, said the short notice for the interview along with a medical issue prevented him from interviewing in Jacksonville that day.
Should Ando decline, Holmgren said, he would like the chance to interview and said he’s “still convinced I’m the best candidate for your IG position.”
Stewart said she would like the group to interview Holmgren, but would leave the matter for committee discussion.
In the meantime, interim Inspector General Steve Rohan continues to lead the office.
The former assistant general counsel said during the last meeting that should the committee not select a full-time replacement, he’d seek changes to his contract to cut back on hours.
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