David Ridpath

Radford's new city manager

The Radford City Council unanimously voted Radford native David Ridpath into the job Monday night after a 45-minute closed session.

Ridpath, the assistant city manager since 2002, was made acting city manager when Tony Cox left for a job in Morristown, Tenn., last month.

"Part of it was economics -- national searches are expensive and exhaustive," Councilman Bruce Brown said Tuesday. "Personally, I just don't see us spending a nickel when we've got somebody."

Ridpath's more than 25 years of service to the city helped the decision, Councilman Bob Nicholson said.

"David has served our city well as assistant city manager during Mr. Cox's tenure and he's worked directly with city council on projects, so we've had plenty of time to observe him," Nicholson said.

The city last used a national search firm in 2002 to hire Cox. Brown said he doesn't remember the exact amount paid, but that "it didn't feel right" to spend the money now.

In last year's search for a new Roanoke city manager, search firm Baenziger & Associates was paid an all-inclusive flat fee of $21,750 for its services. In Montgomery County, the school board paid a base price of $19,500 in June 2009 to search firm Ray and Associates while looking for a new superintendent.

City leaders said last month they would hold off searching for a new city manager until the 2010-11 budget planning process was finished.

But "council was comfortable he was the right candidate for the present time, so the decision was, 'Why should we wait for a couple of months if he's the individual to lead the city?', " Mayor Tom Starnes said.

Because Ridpath was promoted from within, the city was not required to advertise the job or talk with other candidates, Starnes said.

"It is my understanding that with internal promotions that is not required, and legal [counsel Jim Guynn] was comfortable with that," he said.

No decision had been made Tuesday afternoon about hiring a new assistant city manager, Ridpath said.

No decision had been made either on Ridpath's new salary. The council instead plans to meet with him in late April or early May to discuss compensation, Starnes said. Cox's annual reviews usually took place in the late spring, the mayor said.

As acting city manager, Ridpath earns $93,200 annually. Cox's salary was $129,292.

"We are aware of what David currently makes, but council felt we all needed to be in the room at the same time for those discussions," Starnes said.

It is not yet clear whether Ridpath will sign a contract with the city, Starnes said. Cox did.

Ridpath is a 1980 graduate of Radford High School and 1985 graduate of Virginia Tech and started working for the city in 1984 as an intern. Since then, he has served as community assistance coordinator, economic development director and assistant city manager.

"I didn't expect this to happen last night, so I'm very excited about it," Ridpath said Tuesday. "I look forward to the challenges working with the community I grew up in as we move forward."

In other action, the council:

n Read a proclamation honoring the late David DeHart, longtime Radford resident and civic leader. The proclamation was accepted by his widow, Marion DeHart.

n Approved an ordinance appropriating a $250,000 grant from the Department of Justice for equipment in the public safety building, including recording equipment for interview rooms and evidence lockers.

n Approved an ordinance appropriating a $10,000 grant to supplement a cut in the same amount to an assistant prosecutor's salary earlier in the fiscal year. The grant comes from Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal funding source through the National Crime Prevention Council.