The Arizona Republic
When the Scottsdale City Council excused itself from the Kiva dais just past 3 p.m. Wednesday to deliberate in private the merits of the three finalists for city manager, the guessing began.
No one in attendance knew when the council would return, though several felt its discussion could take upwards of four hours. When it did return, what kind of support would it demonstrate for its choice? David Richert’s rocky tenure as city manager began with the inauspicious dissenting vote of Councilman Tony Nelssen, who cited dissatisfaction with the search process.
Some whispered concerns council wouldn’t be able to reach a consensus, given an underwhelming group of candidates.
Then, at exactly 5 p.m., council filed back into the chambers, and everything pulled into sharp focus with remarkable swiftness.
Vice Mayor Suzanne Klapp announced the council’s nomination, Mayor Jim Lane directed some perfunctory remarks of gratitude toward the other two finalists, the council voted unanimously to accept the nominated candidate, and Lane’s gavel brought the meeting to a succinct close.
That’s how, in less than three minutes, Fritz Behring became Scottsdale’s newest city manager.
Related: [EXCLUSIVE] Behring down on Scottsdale: New city manager to take over in July
