It is NOT rare for a government entity to hire a consultant to find high profile employees (Item #6, Sub Item 4);
Health, Agreement to conduct a dental practitioner search for Falls Community Health, Jackson Physician Search
But what I find astounding is that the city will put the money down to find a dentist, but NOT a police chief, fire chief, health director, audit manager, cultural officer or IT manager. Papa Poops knows best.
Teeth are important!
It also may be (and I am ONLY speculating) that since the health department gets gobs of Federal funding there are hiring requirements and the expense may be a pass thru. Not sure.