Filling two top administrative positions that have been open for several months will be a high priority for Dave Corliss as he begins his tenure as Lawrence’s city manager.

The hirings also present a significant opportunity to compensate for Corliss’ lack of work experience outside Lawrence.

Corliss, whose contract with the city is expected to be approved by city commissioners at their Tuesday meeting, said last week that he hopes to have a new planning director and new director of utilities hired by the end of the year. Both positions have been open for several months, and although it made some sense not to fill them until a permanent city manager was hired, Corliss is right to move ahead as quickly as possible in filling the key jobs.

Although there may be people with good leadership qualities in both the utilities and planning departments, strong consideration should be given to candidates who have experience in other communities. Especially in the case of the utilities department, the city also might consider someone with a business background, rather than public administration experience.

Bringing in people with new ideas seems to fit well with Corliss’ plan for a top-to-bottom review of how the city does business and how it might improve and streamline its operation and provide better service to those who deal with city offices. People who have worked in other communities or other types of businesses have a different set of experiences with what works and what doesn’t. That information is something Lawrence can use.

Because the planning director will lead a city-county department, Corliss will be working with both city and county officials to fill these key roles. While there’s no reason to shake up departments just for the sake of doing something different, there is every reason to give preference in the hiring process to people who not only will provide strong, positive leadership but will bring new ideas and experiences to the job.