Maple Valley’s former city manager will be paid a maximum of $10,000 for work that could include smoothing the way for his successor.

When Anthony Hemstad resigned suddenly in July, he offered his services to the city as a consultant on, among other things, the city’s transition to a new city manager and issues such as the “donut hole,” the nickname of King County-owned property in the city that’s the object of debate over its future development.

At its Aug. 25 meeting, the City Council authorized interim city manager Christy Todd to execute a professional services agreement with Hemstad for consultant services. In July, the council told Todd to negotiate a flat per-hour rate with Hemstad, with the total not to exceed $10,000. Council members also directed Todd to determine the scope of Hemstad’s work.

Prothman Co. was hired by the city to help choose an interim replacement of Hemstad. The Bellevue firm specializes in helping local governments in the Pacific Northwest recruit high-ranking employees, including top administrators. According to its Web site, Prothman is in the process of helping find city managers or administrators for three other Washington cities (Kenmore, Leavenworth and Chelan) and one in Montana (Whitefish).

Its clients have included the city of Covington.

Consulting services such as department reviews, personnel evaluations and advice in starting new cities are other services of Prothman Co.

The city is considering hiring a recruitment firm to assist in hiring a new city manager.

Hemstad submitted a brief letter of resignation July 17, the same day the council held two executive sessions (non-public meetings) to review city personnel.

Mayor Laure Iddings described his departure as a mutual decision. Hemstad said in a note to city employees that he wanted time to “reassess what to do for the next stage in my life.”

Hemstad has since said that council members “weren’t thrilled” by his time commitment to his duties as an elected commissioner of Valley Medical Center.