Council Interviews Candidates For City Manager

City council members are screening seven applicants for city manager, a post that has been filled on an interim basis since July, Mayor Stephen Cassidy said Monday.

The seven interviewees were drawn from 50 people who filed applications with the executive search firm that the city hired after its first attempt at choosing a manager .

Hiring decisions occur in executive session which are closed to the public and all Cassidy would say at this point is that these were first round interviews.

"We are going to narrow it down to our finalists and bring those folks back for second interviews," Cassidy said. "At that point we will decide who is our top choice."

It takes a simple majority of the seven-member council to hire a city manager but Cassidy said he hopes one candidate emerges "who we could all embrace."

Once the council settles on a choice, background checks and contract negotiations would ensue. It isn't clear when an announcement would occur.

"There's still a chance we can finish this in December if everything aligns itself, but it's more likely to get completed in January," he said.

Cassidy has previously estimated that it would cost the city about $25,000 to use an outside search firm.

Former Mayor Tony for "creating a deep vacuum at City Hall" by failing to find a permanent replacement for ex-city manager Stephen Hollister, who retired June 30th.

Hollister had a total compensation package of nearly $287,000, consisting of $194,000 in salary, $17,000 in other cash allowances, with the rest being pension, health care and other benefits, Cassidy said.

Lianne Marshall, who was assistant city manager under Hollister, has served as interim manager since July.

Council members interviewed six applicants on Saturday and Sunday at the Marina Inn. One more interview was scheduled to be held at City Hall before Monday's night's regular council meeting.