Mexico Beach City Council selects top six candidates for new city administrator
MEXICO BEACH − Local officials are making progress in their search for a new city administrator.
In a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, Mexico Beach City Council members narrowed down the six applicants they think are best suited for the position. The meeting was called after Interim City Administrator Michael Manning announced on Tuesday that he plans to resign Aug. 15.
Manning has held the title since late June, when he took over following the resignation of former City Administrator Douglass Baber.
"The city administrator ... is involved in every aspect of the city, so it's very important to find somebody who is quite capable and has experience," City Council member Linda Hamilton said.
Mexico Beach began advertising the position about a month ago, and 15 people applied. The top six applicants in order from most to least preferred are:
Patrick Marsh, former city manager of Fernley, Nevada.
Timothy Day, district manager of Inframark Corporation in Cape Coral.
Chris Hubbard, a former city administrator of Mexico Beach who currently works as a real estate agent in Barbourville, Kentucky.
Tim O'Briant, economic development director of Aiken, South Carolina.
Denise Vickers, director of the Innovation News Center at the University of Florida.
Katherine Gatewood, city clerk of Freeport.
Position to open: Michael Manning announces resignation as interim city administrator of Mexico Beach
Hamilton said the council's goal on Thursday was to narrow down their top five applicants, but six ended up being considered because there was a tie for fifth place. Each council member ranked their top five applicants, with five points given to their first choice, four points given to their second choice, three points to their third choice, two points to their fourth choice and one point for their fifth choice. The final list is made up of those who received the most points.
Marsh claimed 22 points, Day claimed 15 points, Hubbard claimed 14 points, O'Briant claimed six points, Vickers claimed five points and Gatewood claimed five points.
Council members were split on who they think is best suited for the position. Hamilton and Councilman Adrian Welle voted Marsh as their favorite. Council members Richard Wolff and Jerry Smith voted for Hubbard as their favorite. Mayor Michele Miller selected Day as her favorite.
Hamilton said the City Council is slated to interview the top candidates on Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. Interviews will be held in the city's public works building at 114 N. 22nd St.
"They will be public meetings, and we're going to try and interview one at a time," Hamilton said. "We don't have a set date (for when we will make a final decision), but I know we want to do it in a timely manner and as quickly as possible because of Michael Manning leaving."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Mexico Beach City Council narrows down city administrator candidates
