WALHALLA — The executive search firm that the Oconee County Council likely will hire next week to find a new administrator has successfully completed hundreds of recent assignments.

Based in Atlanta, The Mercer Group also is actively working on more than a dozen others searches, including a county administrator for Horry County and city manager for the City of Columbia in South Carolina.

Jim Mercer, who founded the company more than 20 years ago, will outline The Mercer Group’s services and techniques at the Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday night.

Following the presentation, Council is scheduled to go into executive session for the purpose of “discussing a contractual matter/conducting an interview with The Mercer Group.”

The Mercer Group was one of five companies that submitted bids to the county three weeks ago.

In a letter to county officials that accompanied his firm’s bid, Mercer said the company conducts approximately 65 searches per year.

The Mercer Group also guarantees its work, he said.

“If we do not find the correct fit on the first try, we will re-open the search for expenses only,” Mercer said.

The group’s fees are $16,500, which include a position analysis, advertising development, resume review, candidate screening, background investigation, interview process, negotiation and follow-up. Mercer said expenses to the county would not exceed $8,000 for a maximum of $24,500.

“We will not quit until the client is comfortable with the placement,” Mercer said.

In September, Council gave up in its attempt to find a new administrator on its own.

Councilmen had been engaged in finding a replacement for Dale Surrett, who they fired on April 14.

carlos@dailyjm.com | (864) 882-2375