Search for new Columbus city manager narrowed down to 5 finalists

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson said the search for a new city manager has been narrowed to five finalists.

The position has been vacant since May 27, when former City Manager Isaiah Hugley was fired by city council. Henderson said if everything falls into place, a new city manager could be in place by mid-January.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: City Council votes 7-3 to terminate City Manager Isaiah Hugley seven months before his retirement

The mayor met Thursday with consultants from the Mercer Group, the firm hired to conduct the search.

About 30 people applied for the job, which was then reduced to fewer than 20. On Thursday, Henderson and the consultants narrowed the pool to five.

The city has not released the names of the finalists, but Henderson said interviews could begin in the middle of next month.

“It’s a good number, but it’s not as many as we normally get for city officer type jobs,” Henderson said. “But it tells me that the market is still a little tight. And it also tells me that people have been doing their research and they’re trying to make sure it’s a fit for wherever they go with the government they’re going to work for.”

The city charter gives the mayor the authority to select the city manager, but the candidate must get at least six votes from council to be confirmed.

Henderson said he could bring a name to council as early as November.

Since Hugley’s termination, Deputy City Managers Lisa Goodwin and Pam Hodge have been sharing the city manager’s duties. That is expected to continue until a new city manager is selected.

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