Tauranga City Council chief executive Stephen Town is reapplying for his job rather than simply adding another two years to his contract. The city council this week decided to start a $12,500 recruitment process in which Mr Town could end up competing with other candidates. Mayor Stuart Crosby said the authority facedtwo options under laws designed to prevent chief executives having jobs for life. The first option, a two year extension to the chief executive's five-year contract, was not favoured by Mr Town. "It was his choice ... he made a judgment call to put his hat in the ring and have a crack at another five years." The law demands that chief executive jobs must be advertised at the end of either five years or after a two-year extension. Mr Town hit the headlines this month when the council's latest annual report showed he received a $46,000 pay rise for the year ending June 30. His $343,000 salary made him the top-earning chief executive outside Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch city councils. Mr Crosby said the recruitment process will be handled by an independent personnel consultant who would deliver a shortlist of candidates to the council by November 10. The advertisement will state that Mr Town intends re-applying. Mr Crosby said the council had been pleased with the chief executive's performance. The council was in a "stronger space" than it had ever been in and if Mr Town was to have another five-year term, it was better the council knew now rather than later. However, if someone with equal or near-equal credentials applied, then the council would assess that person against Mr Town, he said.
