The position is being performed by Clare Hadley, who was appointed to the role in March 2018 following the retirement of former chief executive Richard King, after 31 years of service.
At the public-excluded part of the Invercargill City Council meeting this week, councillors discussed an item labelled as "recruitment of chief executive".
Although he was not able to comment on matters discussed behind closed doors, Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark told the Otago Daily Times Mrs Hadley’s five-year contract would expire on March 8 next year, so the council was starting the recruitment process.
"We have to advertise the job and that is what we are doing."
However, according to the Local Government Act 2002, there is a possibility the position could be offered without going on the market.
The document states a chief executive may not be appointed for a term of more than five years and when the term of appointment expires, the vacancy must be advertised.
However, if the council has completed a review under clause 35, that local authority may, without advertising the vacancy, appoint the incumbent chief executive for a second term, not exceeding two years from the expiry of the first term of appointment.
When asked why the council decided not to offer the position directly to Mrs Hadley, Mr Clark said this was the normal process.
"We’ve gone past the stage of having a two-year extension — so we need to advertise."
He said it was not for him to declare if Mrs Hadley would apply for the job, but he expected her name would be in the hat, as there was no indication she did not want to do the job any more.
"Clare is a good operator. She will be a strong contender but you can’t even ask me what I think, because how can I be impartial? Anybody involved in the selection process needs to go in with an open mind."
Mrs Hadley was approached for comment, but she did not think it appropriate to publicly comment at this time.
An Invercargill City Council spokeswoman yesterday confirmed Mrs Hadley’s current five-year term would come to an end in March and that a performance review of the position was conducted in June 2022.
She said the Local Government Act stated a chief executive could be appointed for a period of five years and before the expiry of the fifth year, a two-year extension could be considered.
"At the inaugural council meeting on Tuesday, in public excluded, council considered the appointment of a recruitment consultant and it’s likely the position of chief executive will be advertised in the coming weeks.
"This process begins early so should a new chief executive be recruited, there will be no absence in that role and council can continue operating as normal."
