AUBURN — Residents should get their first look at the top two candidates for the job of city manager Tuesday, according to Interim City Manager Don Gerrish.

Gerrish said he planned to release names of the two potential new hires by the close of business Tuesday, along with a schedule of the city councilors’ and job candidates’ next interviews.

“We want to bring them back, with their spouses, and schedule a public meeting for them,” Gerrish said. “It won’t be a public question and answer session, but a meet and greet social hour to get familiar with them.”

The City Council is on track to select a final city manager candidate and begin negotiations in May.

The city began advertising for a new manager in February. Councilors had hoped to have at least 75 resumes to sort through, but received only 25 by the deadline.

Gerrish said councilors had narrowed the list to six candidates and brought them in for a first round of interviews earlier in April.

Councilors liked four of those candidates, but two dropped out of contention before a second round of interviews could be scheduled.

Gerrish said councilors interviewed one of the final two candidates April 19 and the second one Monday morning. Councilors met in executive session Monday night to discuss their next steps and Gerrish said they needed to talk to the candidates again Tuesday to schedule the next meetings.

“As soon as I have a press release in front of me, I will release it,” Gerrish said.

The previous City Council voted to terminate City Manager Glenn Aho’s contract in October. They voted in November to hire consultants Eaton Peabody to lead the search for Aho’s replacement and manage the city in the meantime. Gerrish, an Eaton Peabody consultant, is also serving as the city’s interim city manager.

staylor@sunjournal.com

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