Use Caution Before Hiring a Municipal Manager From the ‘Local Gene Pool’

In the close-knit world of Pennsylvania boroughs and townships, it’s easy to fall into the trap of hiring someone you already know – a neighbor, a long-time resident, or the cousin of someone who serves on council. After all, small-town politics is built on relationships, trust, and community history. However, when it comes to filling the vital role of borough or township manager, those friendly ties can sometimes cause more harm than good.

Pennsylvania borough and township managers serve as the chief administrative officers of their municipalities. They manage budgeting, financial oversight, personnel decisions, project execution, legal compliance, and daily operations. Typical job postings for Municipal Manager positions across the state clearly indicate that successful candidates should possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in public administration or related fields, several years of municipal experience, strong financial and communication skills, and demonstrated leadership in local government roles – qualities that may be difficult to find in your local community – especially if it’s a smaller borough or more rural, less populated area.

This isn’t a part-time gig with basic administrative duties; it’s a full-fledged leadership role with real legal, financial, and operational responsibilities. Hiring someone without the proper background simply because they live in the community or fit the community profile can lead to inefficiency, mismanagement, or even legal issues later on. Small-town politics often cloud judgment.

While hiring local can seem like an easy solution, it’s important that the question of “who they know” doesn’t outweigh “what they know.” When elected officials choose someone from their personal network, or as I call it “the local gene pool,” there’s typically a good reason – the person is trusted and familiar with the community. But familiarity doesn’t always translate to competency.

Experts in municipal management point out that communities sometimes hire based on trust rather than expertise, which can end up costing them. Professional managers have specialized training in areas like finance, compliance with state codes, human resources, and strategic planning – none of which can be learned on the fly. 

While local candidates can certainly grow into leadership roles, the risk of limited experience becomes especially apparent in complex situations, such as navigating municipal budgeting challenges, managing federal or state grants, or ensuring legal compliance with codes and ordinances. These aren’t issues that vanish because the manager grew up down the street. Professional standards matter, even in small municipalities. And a manager recruited from outside the community can still be effective at community engagement. They can be intentional and purposeful in learning about the community and its culture. What can’t be easily taught is expertise in municipal governance.

Keystone Municipal Solutions understands the complexity of running a municipal operation, and the importance of hiring the right person to lead that operation. That’s why, across the commonwealth, our team works with boroughs and townships to find the right candidate for the job – not just the candidate who is well known and well liked in town. Our team seeks candidates that uphold professional standards, value ongoing training and education, and follow best practices in local government. A borough or township manager isn’t just a staffer; they are the engine that drives the execution of municipal policy. When that engine isn’t properly tuned, operations can grind to a halt, projects can stall, and public trust can erode.

I previously shared a blog that discusses Pennsylvania’s recent legislative changes, which will enable municipalities to hire professional management firms like KMS to serve as managers. This change is important because many boroughs and townships struggle to find qualified professionals, particularly if they limit their search to the current local population. It ultimately comes down to community connection versus professional competence. At KMS, we recruit for competence and professional excellence. But we also offer those same qualities in our own team, so municipalities that struggle with finding a manager can feel secure knowing that KMS has the job well in-hand.

Hiring from the “local gene pool” might feel comfortable, but it should never take precedence over your community's long-term needs. Boroughs and townships need leaders who can navigate complex governance, manage finances responsibly, and implement policies effectively. That often requires looking beyond familiar faces to find candidates with the skills, training, and professional experience your municipality truly needs. If you are ready to “fire this thing up,” contact the experts at KMS and find the best candidate for the critical position of township or borough manager.

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About the Author

David L. Anthony is a member of the Keystone Municipal Solutions team of experts. He is a veteran of municipal government, having served more than 33 years in various positions of public service. Contact him at david@keystonemunicipalsolutions.com. To learn more about David and the Keystone Municipal Solutions team, click here.