The search is on as the firm hired to find the next city manager for Bainbridge Island gets right to work.

On Monday, a representative from Strategic Government Resources arrived on the island to meet with various island interest groups, from city officials to local citizens.

Strategic Government Resources was awarded the contract to find the city’s next top executive after the firm’s CEO Ron Holifield won the council’s unanimous approval on April 10.

But if Holifield is the straight-shooting man from Texas, armed with southern charm and blunt talk, then Tom Muehlenbeck is his deputy coming into town to get things in order.

“I think Tom’s visit has been very productive,” said Interim City Manager Morgan Smith. “He has spent time with each council member and with key city staff.”

Over his three-day visit, Muehlenbeck met with individual council members as well as with key city staff members.

The information will be vital to the profile that Strategic Government Resources will produce in order to attract candidates for the city manager position in addition to helping the firm understand the type of person the city needs.

He’s not finished either. The council has stated that they desire to have community input included in Strategic Government Resource’s interviews.

Muehlenbeck is already on it.

“We have had a chance to meet with you and some of the staff to get your feelings,” Muehlenbeck told the council at its meeting Wednesday.

“We think it is also just as important to hear from interests groups and the community regarding their feelings as to what they think the city of Bainbridge Island would need in a city manager,” he said.

Muehlenbeck boasts a career as a city manager of six cities, and also served on the city management team of two additional cities. Most recently, he was the top executive for the city of Plano, Texas where he retired after serving 23 years as their city manager.

He currently holds the title of senior vice president of executive searches at Strategic Government Resources.

Muehlenbeck’s initial trip was brief but packed with meetings. The next visit from the firm has been scheduled from May 7 to May 10.

At its meeting this week, the council reviewed plans for the next visit in May, as well possible community groups for the firm to meet with.

The list of community members ranges from the city’s advisory committees to local groups such as Friends of the Farms and the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council.

A total of 30 groups have been proposed.